Anup Singh, 'Qissa' director, sets Mumbai short 'Lasya'

Anup Singh, director of "Qissa" and "The Song of Scorpions," is shooting a new Mumbai short film titled "Lasya: The Gentle Dance," produced by Pretty Pictures. The project follows a father and son living as beggars and marks Singh's latest effort to reaffirm cinema's gentle storytelling amid an era of AI, violent action, and fast-paced spectacle.

Key Takeaways

• Anup Singh is directing "Lasya: The Gentle Dance," a short film shot on Mumbai's streets.
• The story centers on a father and son whose shelter is destroyed by monsoon rains, with the late mother's legacy inspiring hope.
• Mumbai-based Pretty Pictures is producing; the banner plans a feature with Singh early next year honoring Irrfan Khan.
• Singh framed the short as a response to AI-driven and violent storytelling trends in contemporary cinema.

Who Is Directing 'Lasya: The Gentle Dance'?

Anup Singh established himself with "Qissa" and "The Song of Scorpions," films known for intimate, poetic storytelling about people on India's margins. His new short, "Lasya: The Gentle Dance," is lensed on Mumbai's streets and backed by local banner Pretty Pictures, led by Zeeshan Ahmad and Pretty Aggarwal.

Ahmad told Variety that Singh's cinema has consistently insisted that marginalized lives be shown with joy and beauty—not documented for pain alone. "We would like to support that vision in our work together," he said.

What Is 'Lasya: The Gentle Dance' About?

"The Gentle Dance" tracks a father and son who survive as beggars along Mumbai's roadside. Over the course of a single day, monsoon rains repeatedly destroy their shelter while the city responds with hostility and indifference.

The father's stories about the boy's late mother—her boldness and playful spirit even as she navigated the city and natural world—help the son see himself as more than a victim. Those memories give him the will to dance among the ruins as she did and rebuild his life.

Why Is Anup Singh Making a Short Film Now?

In an exclusive comment to Variety, Singh described the project as "a desperate attempt" to test whether cinema's gentle methods can still reach audiences. He pointed to an era defined by AI, quick violent action, and storytelling that celebrates various demagogues.

"This will be a short film," Singh said. "It is for me an attempt… to see if in this time… whether there is still a way to reaffirm cinema's gentle ways of reaching us."

What Comes Next for Singh and Pretty Pictures?

Following the short, Pretty Pictures plans to begin work with Singh early next year on his next feature film. That project would mark the third film he was set to make with Irrfan Khan, returning roughly six years after the acclaimed actor's death.

Ahmad said Singh is "finally ready to return to the film" and called the planned feature a homage to Khan. "We are very excited to make this film in homage to Irrfan Khan," he told Variety.

For more film and series news, visit our Streaming & TV Alerts hub. Variety first reported the project in an exclusive story.