Two Sinners to Make Its Mark at Tasveer Film Festival & Market

The powerful short film Two Sinners is all set for its premiere on October 11, 2025, at the prestigious Tasveer Film Festival & Market, which runs from October 8–12. This is not just any festival — Tasveer is the only Oscar‑qualifying South Asian film festival, making this screening a major milestone.

Directed by debut filmmaker Samir Zaidi, the film is produced by casting director‑producer Shivam Gupta, with veteran filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj onboard as Executive Producer. This collaborative effort brings together bold storytelling and experienced craft.

Set deep in a haunting Indian forest, Two Sinners follows Azhar, played by BAFTA Breakthrough talent Shardul Bhardwaj, who is pressured by his older brother to confront the person responsible for their sister’s assault. The film navigates the cycles of violence that plague their lives and examines the fragile line between justice and forgiveness. At its core, it’s a story about moral ambiguity — about making choices when there are no obvious “right” answers.

Supporting performances by Deipak Sampat, Baharul Islam, and Aditi Sivaraman add emotional depth and urgency to the narrative. Their portrayals challenge the audience to reflect on what happens when victim and perpetrator roles blur, and when redemption isn’t black-and-white.

Vishal Bhardwaj praised the film as “a brave, morally restless film — Samir’s voice rings true,” expressing his good wishes for the team as they take it to Tasveer. Samir Zaidi himself said that the film is not really about right or wrong — “it’s about the space in between, where most of us truly exist.” He credited the film’s honesty and emotional grit to everyone who believed in the journey.

Producer Shivam Gupta added that from day one, Two Sinners was built on truth — not just in its performances, but in its very intention. He lauded Samir’s courage to ask difficult questions without pushing an agenda, making the film breathe with moral complexity.

Two Sinners is produced under the banner of Crazy Cocoon Collective. Co‑Producer Vipin Sharma (known for Hotel Mumbai and Taare Zameen Par) plays a key role, and Probir Umesh Sabnis and Sohail Anjum join as Executive Producers.

A win at Tasveer could open doors to even bigger opportunities: since the festival is Oscar-qualifying, this premiere could be the first step toward Academy Award consideration.

With its haunting setting, emotionally intense story, and morally challenging themes, Two Sinners promises to leave a lasting impression. The Tasveer premiere is poised to be a breakthrough moment — not only for Samir Zaidi and his team but also for Indian short films making their mark on the global stage.