Presented by Anurag Kashyap and Ranjan Singh, one of the only Indian films selected this year, Chaar Diwaari will make its North American premiere in the prestigious Fragments d’Asie section on July 30 in Montreal
Acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has come on board to present Chaar Diwaari, the latest short film by filmmaker Syed Shadan, ahead of its North American premiere at the 2026 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada. Marking a significant milestone for independent Indian cinema, Chaar Diwaari is one of the only Indian films selected at this year’s edition of the internationally renowned Fantasia International Film Festival, widely regarded as the world’s largest genre film festival.
Produced by Shivek Gupta and Syed Shadan, the psychological horror thriller has been selected for the prestigious Fragments d’Asie section and will make its North American premiere on July 30, 2026.
Chaar Diwaari follows the unsettling journey of a man who rents a seemingly ordinary house, only to discover that its walls conceal a terrifying secret of their own. Blending psychological tension with atmospheric horror, the film explores fear, isolation and the unseen horrors that can inhabit the spaces we call home.
Known for championing bold, original voices in cinema, Anurag Kashyap’s decision to present Chaar Diwaari, alongside Ranjan Singh, further underscores the film’s artistic vision and international appeal. Their association lends further momentum to a film already poised to make its mark on the global festival circuit.
Speaking about presenting the film, Anurag Kashyap said, “Chaardiwari creates a sense of dread, you see what’s happening and you feel it can’t be happening and it’s not possible and then it takes you into the same place that you’ve been dreading while you’ve been living through it. Loved it.”
Says Ranjan, “Chaar Diwaari is like a quintessential short thriller, as it reminded me of some of the classic films in the genre. It’s moody, mostly grey and shocking. Shadan definitely has a unique voice and Fantasia is the right platform for the film to premiere.”
Expressing his excitement about the film’s North American premiere and Anurag Kashyap’s support, Syed Shadan said, “Chaar Diwaari began with a simple but unsettling thought—what if the walls around us remember more than we do? It’s a story about fear, isolation and the invisible weight that spaces can carry. To have the film premiere at Fantasia, a festival I have admired for its celebration of fearless genre cinema, is a dream come true. Having Anurag sir come on board as presenter makes this journey even more special. His encouragement means a great deal, especially for an independent filmmaker telling an unconventional story.”
Fantasia International Film Festival is one of the world’s most prestigious showcases for genre cinema and has long served as a launchpad for groundbreaking horror, thriller, fantasy and science fiction films from across the globe. The inclusion of Chaar Diwaari in the Fragments d’Asie programme places it among a curated selection of compelling contemporary Asian cinema, offering the film an important international platform for its North American debut.
With Anurag Kashyap and Ranjan Singh presenting the film and its North American premiere set for one of the world’s foremost genre film festivals, Chaar Diwaari marks an exciting milestone for Syed Shadan and contemporary Indian independent cinema.