Director Manisha Makwana On ‘Gudgudi’’s Cannes Debut: ‘An Ode To All I Learned From Raj & DK’ (EXCLUSIVE)

After a decade of working with director duo Raj & DK on shows like “The Family Man”, “Farzi”, and “Citadel: Honey Bunny”, filmmaker Manisha Makwana is screening her debut short film at the 79th Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film in May 2026. “Gudgudi,” headlined by Ahsaas Channa, is co-produced by White Peacock Films and casting director Mukesh Chhabra. 

In an exclusive chat with Variety India, Makwana reveals the personal story that inspired the film, the influence of her mentors Raj & DK, and how Ahsaas came on board. Excerpts from the interview:

What personal experience inspired ‘Gudigudi’?

At the very beginning of my career, I worked at an amusement park, and the experiences I had then stayed with me. Those emotions and moments have directly shaped what you see in the film. At its core, the film comes from a very intimate place. I think all of us, at some point in our lives, have felt unseen or overlooked. “Gudgudi” is really about that universal feeling—and how sometimes, being truly seen can feel almost magical. It’s a matter of perspective, and that’s what the film gently explores.

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What’s the one thing you learned from working with Raj & DK that influenced your filmmaking?

This film is really an ode to everything I have learned from Raj & DK and Suman Kumar. They have been true mentors, not just creatively, but in shaping how I see stories and approach the craft. They have seen the film. I was, of course, a little nervous, but they really liked it, which meant a lot to me coming from them.

What were your fears and challenges as a debut filmmaker?

“Gudgudi” was not an easy subject for multiple reasons. For one, almost 50% of the film revolves around a mascot character, with an actor inside the suit, so ensuring that the emotions still landed in such a physically restrictive setup was a big creative challenge. On top of that, shooting in an amusement park is never easy, especially when you are working within a limited budget. But my producer, Harshvardhan Patel, helped crack the right location and really convinced me to shoot in Gujarat, which ultimately added so much visual richness to the film.

What convinced you that Ahsaas was your Ritu?

I had reached out to a few friends and actors during the process, but somewhere, at the back of my mind, I always had Ahsaas Channa for Ritu. And the moment we first spoke after she read the script, it just clicked. The energy and excitement she brought to that conversation made it all feel right. She naturally embodied everything I had imagined for the character. It’s not easy for any actor to say yes to a film like this, where your face is hidden for a significant part of the story. But Ahsaas completely owned it and delivered something truly special.

 

 

 

 

 

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What were your influences in style and storytelling?

I did spend some time researching films that featured mascots across different genres, but nothing felt substantial enough to directly influence the storytelling. At some point, I realised I just had to trust the story I wanted to tell. Interestingly, everything really clicked when I first saw the location we eventually shot at; the entire film just started playing out in front of my eyes from that moment, and there was no looking back. 

In moments of doubt or tough decisions, I would often ask myself what DK Sir would do, and that instinct would usually guide me in the right direction. So in many ways, my biggest influences remain Raj & DK, along with Suman Kumar, who also helped shape the first montage of the film.

Do you feel a lack of support for films like ‘Gudgudi’ in the Indian film industry?

I feel incredibly grateful that "Gudgudi" found its way to the Cannes Marché du Film. At the same time, I do feel it’s important for our industry to actively celebrate new and unique voices, and more importantly, create space for newcomers to present themselves. I’ve been fortunate that “Gudgudi” found its voice and platform, but there’s always that fear… What if it didn’t, you know? For a debut filmmaker, that can mean not getting another chance at all.

I genuinely hope more producers and platforms come forward to back fresh stories and emerging filmmakers, because there’s so much waiting to be told, if only it’s given the opportunity.