Mumbai: Based on the poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, the short film ‘Ek Safa’ is gaining recognition at international film festivals and is also part of the Ujjain Short Film Festival scheduled for October 24–25.
Mumbai: Featuring the voice of actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the poetry of celebrated Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and the cinematic vision of writer-director Shadab Siddiqui, the short film Ek Safa is making its mark on the international film festival circuit. Its journey, which began in Jammu and Kashmir, has extended to Lebanon and Ukraine, bringing an Indian independent film rooted in literature, love, separation, silence, and memories to audiences across different cultural landscapes.
Written and directed by Shadab Siddiqui, Ek Safa received an official selection at the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir 2026 and was screened in Kashmir. The film stands out for its sensitive storytelling and its attempt to translate the poetic world of Faiz Ahmed Faiz into a cinematic experience.
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Oct 25, 2026Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Voice: A Distinctive Element of the Film
One of the most distinctive features of Ek Safa is the poetry recitation in the voice of Nawazuddin Siddiqui. His voice adds emotional depth to the film, creating an intimate atmosphere that draws audiences into its world. Poetry is not merely a background element or a narrative device; it serves as an essential medium through which the story's emotions unfold.
The film also features Preeti Sood and Naseem Mughal in significant roles. Through their performances, the emotions of love, longing, and separation are expressed visually. The poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz forms the soul of the film, bringing together words, voice, performances, and imagery into a unified cinematic experience.
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Oct 25, 2026From Kashmir to Lebanon: An International Journey
Following its screening in Kashmir, Ek Safa continued its journey towards international audiences. The film was included in the Lebanon International Short Film Festival 2026, held in Beirut from October 11 to 13.
Participation in the Lebanese festival marked an important milestone for the team. The filmmakers are also working towards sharing official photographs, award-related materials, and promotional documentation associated with the festival, helping introduce the film's journey to a wider Indian audience.
The film is also continuing its international journey through Ukraine's Morphe Film Festival. According to the team, these festival platforms offer an opportunity to take a story shaped by Indian literature and poetry to audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Ujjain: The Film’s Next Stop in India
Following its international festival journey, Ek Safa was scheduled to participate in the Ujjain Short Film Festival on October 24 and 25, 2026. The festival provides another platform for the film to connect with Indian audiences through its literary foundation and emotionally driven storytelling.
Shadab Siddiqui: Bringing Cinema and Literature Together
Shadab Siddiqui has been active in the Indian film and entertainment industry since 2006. Over the years, he has worked across writing, direction, production, and music videos. Through Katha Ghar Entertainment Technology Pvt. Ltd., he has also expanded his creative journey into audio storytelling.
Katha Ghar aims to offer audiences a distinctive way to experience stories through voice and sound. The platform reflects a broader creative vision in which storytelling extends beyond the written page to become an immersive auditory experience.
Ek Safa represents a cinematic extension of this vision. It seeks to move literature beyond the boundaries of reading and listening, transforming it into an experience shaped by images, voices, performances, and emotions.
For Shadab Siddiqui, the film's international journey is about more than festival selections. It also reflects the possibility of Indian literature, poetry, and stories rooted in local sensibilities reaching audiences around the world.
With Nawazuddin Siddiqui's voice and the poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz at its heart, Ek Safa attempts to transform an intimate story of love and separation into a universal human experience. Its journey across Kashmir, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Ujjain marks an important chapter in this independent cinematic endeavour, bringing literature and cinema together for audiences at home and abroad.
