Ali Fazal's on-screen turn as a filmmaker in Milan Talkies appears to be spilling over off-screen, too. mid-day has learnt that the actor is set to make his directorial debut with a short film. When it came to inspiration, Fazal didn't have to look too far — the 20-minute-long film, we hear, is based on celebrated filmmaker Guru Dutt and his works.

A source close to the development reveals, "Guru Dutt's films often mirrored his own life and the times that he was living in. Ali felt a contemporary take on the auteur would serve as an interesting narrative. So, the film sees a juxtaposition of the filmmaker and the digital world that we live in."