Bollywood Innovators 2022: Producers Have Become Brave, say directors

In an exclusive interview with Film Companion, director Jasmeet R Reen (Darlings), Anirudh Iyer (An Action Hero), Anvitaa Dutt (Qala) and Amar Kaushik (Bhediya) spoke about how producers are now open to taking risks and have the faith and belief in their directors and their storytelling. In conversation with Anupama Chopra, Kaushik, Dutt and Iyer spoke about the change.

Kaushik said, “What has happened in the last five to six years producers have changed, directors always wanted to tell these kinds of stories but unko rok diya jaata tha (they were always been restricted) abhi producers aise hogaye hain (now producers have changed).”

In addition to Kaushik’s statement, Dutt spoke about how producers constantly tried to mould her story ideas until Qala (2022) happened, “It has been 10 to 15 years I have been writing stories like Bulbul (2020) and Qala and they said great it's very interesting but Queen (2014) jaisa kuch karna, tune hi toh likhi hain. I said but that's not who I am.”

Iyer who directed Ayushmann Khurrana and Jaideep Ahlawat starrer, An Action Hero said, “I think it's very important for us to have a brave producer, Someone who is willing to listen to your story and telling you on your face that this is bizarre but let's do it because that is what was told to me that this is bizarre (while making An Action Hero). Okay, fine let's do it, there was no second doubt, that gave me so much confidence. Today I feel proud only for the fact that I could tell what I wanted to, rest is secondary.”