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Debut filmmaker dives into the experience of working with Naseeruddin Shah
Updated On: 15 March, 2026 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Akshita Maheshwari
Debut filmmaker Siddhant Shelar cold-emailed acting icon Naseeruddin Shah to make a film raising awareness on air pollution. Shah said yes, and the story is one for the books

Filmmaker Siddhant Shelar (left) with Naseeruddin Shah (centre) and a friend
What does one do when breathing becomes equivalent to smoking? When there seems to be no relief despite months of suffering? We asked a filmmaker, and he asked Naseeruddin Shah!
Siddhant Shelar is a copywriter and filmmaker. For his debut though, he chose to go out with a bang. Frustrated with the AQI skyrocketing around him, he decided to make his first short film AQI: Yeh Q Hai about that same subject. The coolest part? He cold-emailed acting legend Naseeruddin Shah to be part of his film and he said yes!

