Samir Zaidi and Shivam Gupta on Two Sinners: Moral complexity is universal; guilt and redemption connect us all

Two Sinners, an Indian short film directed by Samir Zaidi and produced by Shivam Gupta, was recently screened at the prestigious Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, an Oscar-qualifying platform festival for South Asian films Speaking about the recognition, director Samir Zaidi shared, “Being selected at an Oscar-qualifying festival like Tasveer is a great honour.

It validates the spirit in which Two Sinners was made.

If the film goes on to win and qualify for the Oscars, it will be a humbling moment for everyone who believed in its honesty. The story is rooted in emotional truth and questions rather than conformity. It’s about the moral and emotional complexities of who we are.” Samir emphasised his intent to focus on emotional resonance over intellectual analysis. “Moral complexity is universal and something every society grapples with.

I wanted to highlight the human emotions at the core of guilt and redemption, which are the same no matter where we come from,” he said. Producer Shivam Gupta, known for backing independent narratives, reflected on what the Tasveer premiere represents. “It’s a proud moment, not just for our team but for the Indian short film community. Platforms like Tasveer open a global window to our stories, deeply rooted in our culture yet resonating universally,” he said.

Looking ahead, Shivam sees Two Sinners as part of a broader movement in Indian cinema. “If Two Sinners makes it to the Oscars, it would be a validation for India’s independent film movement. It shows that cinema today is evolving beyond language and scale, focusing instead on emotional truth and human connection,” he added. An introspective drama exploring guilt, redemption and moral reckoning, Two Sinners has already drawn praise from filmmakers Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Shoojit Sircar for its sincerity and emotional depth at the 25th edition of FICCI. Samir said, “It means a lot when filmmakers you admire connect with your work. Both Ashwiny ma’am and Shoojit sir have always championed stories with authenticity, and their appreciation reinforces our belief in telling stories that move people at a human level.”