'Animal' lyricists Siddharth–Garima debut with 'Dukaan' at Yokohama fest
Synopsis
From lyricists to directors: Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal's debut feature 'Dukaan' — a surrogacy drama set in Gujarat — premiered at Japan's selective Yokohama International Film Festival, earning strong audience response. The pair's creative leap mirrors the emotional core of their film: handing over creative 'ownership' to a larger vision.
Key Takeaways
Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal , known for screenwriting and lyrics on 'Animal' , 'Kabir Singh' , and 'Bajirao Mastaani' , made their directorial debut with 'Dukaan' . 'Dukaan' premiered at the 4th Yokohama International Film Festival on 4 May in Yokohama, Japan .
The film explores surrogacy against a Gujarat backdrop, starring Monika Panwar , Sikandar Kher , Soham Majumdar , and Monali Thakur .
Vrajesh Hirjee appears in a special cameo.
Produced by Waveband Productions and Kalamkaar Picture Productions ; cinematography by Anirban Chatterjee ; music by Shreyas Puranik .
The directorial debut feature of acclaimed lyricist-screenwriter duo Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal — known for their work on 'Animal', 'Kabir Singh', and 'Bajirao Mastaani' — premiered at the 4th Yokohama International Film Festival (YIFF) on 4 May in Yokohama, Japan. The film, titled 'Dukaan', explores the emotionally intricate terrain of surrogacy against a Gujarat backdrop, marking a significant creative transition for the writing partnership into directorial territory.
Festival recognition and audience reception
The red carpet event took place on 2 May, followed by the official screening at the Betty & Deck Theater. The filmmakers expressed their satisfaction with the Japanese audience's response, underscoring the festival's selectivity. Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal noted,
Point of View
And Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal's choice of subject — surrogacy, a topic that demands emotional nuance over spectacle — signals artistic intent. That a selective Japanese festival chose 'Dukaan' over thousands of submissions suggests the film carries thematic weight beyond regional appeal. Whether Indian audiences will embrace a Gujarat-set indie drama about surrogacy, without a marquee star, remains an open question; the festival circuit is often a proving ground for films that later struggle in commercial markets.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal?
Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal are an acclaimed screenwriter-lyricist duo credited for major Hindi films including 'Animal', 'Kabir Singh', 'Bajirao Mastaani', and 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha'. 'Dukaan' marks their directorial debut.
What is 'Dukaan' about?
'Dukaan' is a drama exploring the emotionally complex world of surrogacy, set against the backdrop of Gujarat. The film stars Monika Panwar, Sikandar Kher, Soham Majumdar, and Monali Thakur in key roles.
Where did 'Dukaan' premiere?
'Dukaan' premiered at the 4th Yokohama International Film Festival (YIFF) in Yokohama, Japan, with a red carpet on 2 May and an official screening on 4 May at the Betty & Deck Theater.
What inspired the filmmakers to direct 'Dukaan'?
Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal revealed that as screenwriters, the story of a surrogate resonated deeply with them. They drew a parallel between a surrogate handing over a child and their own experience as writers handing over scripts in work-for-hire arrangements, often without ownership.
Who produced 'Dukaan'?
'Dukaan' was produced by A Jhunjhunwala and S.K. Ahluwalia under the banners of Waveband Productions and Siddharth-Garima's Kalamkaar Picture Productions.
