Sayani Gupta is stepping into the director’s chair, and her first film is heading home. Aasmani, her directorial debut, has been selected as the opening film of the Yellowstone International Film Festival’s Mumbai premiere on November 30.
Bollywood Hungama describes the Mumbai opening as a “full-circle moment” for the actor-director. The framing fits: after a decade in front of the camera, Gupta is opening a festival with a film she wrote and directed, in the city where her career began.
What the film is about
Aasmani is a short built around a 60-year-old grandmother, her 10-year-old granddaughter and their vintage powder blue Fiat. It is an intimate, intergenerational story — the kind that tends to travel well on the festival circuit.
A festival run with trophies
The Mumbai opening follows a busy two months. Aasmani has already played at over 12 festivals, picking up recognition at several stops:
- Boston: Best Director for Sayani Gupta and Best Child Actor for Daria Bedi.
- Atlanta: Best Short Film.
- iSAFF Vancouver: Honorable Mention for Excellence in Short Filmmaking, plus the Leadership in Film Award for Gupta.
- IFFSA Toronto: South Asian Screen Excellence Award for Gupta as Guest of Honour, and Best Actor for an International Short for Revathy, who plays Asha.
Revathy’s win adds another layer. A veteran performer, she brings weight to the short, and her Best Actor honour at IFFSA Toronto underlines the film’s appeal beyond a single market.
Across these stops, the honours cover nearly every part of the film: direction, child performance, short film craft and acting. That rounded recognition is a strong calling card for a first-time director.
Why the Yellowstone slot matters
Opening a festival is more than a slot; it is a positioning statement. It puts Aasmani in front of Mumbai audiences as a title the programmers believe can set the tone. Short films are also becoming a director’s calling card in the Hindi film industry, and this run gives the industry a clear look at Gupta’s storytelling before any feature.
What happens next
After its screening at the 30th Vancouver Asian Film Festival from November 5 to 14, the run is far from over. The festival journey continues with selections lined up until March 2027, so Aasmani will keep travelling.
For Mumbai audiences, November 30 is the date to watch for schedule details from the Yellowstone International Film Festival. For everyone else, the continuing run means more chances to catch the short that has been collecting honours.
Source: Bollywood Hungama