Actor Sayani Gupta has reached a new milestone in her career with the international festival journey of her directorial debut short film, Aasmani. After screenings at the Houston Film Festival and Indie Meme Film Festival, the short film recently premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). The screening holds particular significance for Sayani, who first attended the festival more than a decade ago as an actor. In 2014, she was part of the team of Margarita With A Straw, which premiered at NYIFF and marked one of the early chapters of her acting career.

Sayani Gupta returns to NYIFF with directorial debut Aasmani, 12 years after Margarita With A Straw

Reflecting on her return to the festival, Sayani shared a note on social media recalling memories from her first visit. She remembered the support she received from her co-star Kalki Koechlin during the festival circuit. “Last time I was at NYIFF in 2014, Kalki let me stay in her room. She literally shared everything with me for the entire festival tour of Margarita. Best sister/gf to be starting my actor’s journey with,” Sayani wrote.

She also compared that experience with her latest visit to the festival as a filmmaker. “This time I’m back with my own room. And a view. But gotta say missing Kalki a lot through this. There’s a special joy in sharing. A room or a roommate to help you with the saree!” she added.

For Sayani, the return to NYIFF represents a full-circle moment. While her first visit was as a young actor promoting a film, she has now returned with a project she has directed herself.

Aasmani has been making its way through the international festival circuit and adds a new dimension to Sayani’s creative journey, which has largely been defined by her work as an actor across films, web series, and independent cinema.

With its NYIFF premiere, Aasmani continues its festival run while also marking an important chapter in Sayani Gupta’s transition from performer to filmmaker.

Also Read:Sayani Gupta on being named South Asian Person of the Year 2026 by Harvard University, “It means a lot to represent India and South Asia”

Tags : Aasmani, Down Memory Lane, Down The Memory Lane, Features, Flashback, Houston Film Festival, Indie Meme Film Festival, Kalki Koechlin, Margarita With A Straw, New York Indian Film Festival, New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2026, NYIFF, Sayani Gupta, Throwback