You know it’s an empowering time to be a storyteller, when people ask what’s the story, not which state one comes from or what language one speaks in. Having helmed popular Marathi films including, 'Bucket List' featuring Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Baba, and Premsutra, among others and now making his Hindi feature debut with the Rakul Preet Singh-starrer 'Chhatriwali', filmmaker Tejas Deoskar says he has already received offers to make two films in South.

“I have got calls from South to make a film—in languages that I don’t even know. They approached me on the basis of the work I have done. It is a great [time] to collaborate, as the audience is accepting, producers are open [to work with different storytellers], and OTT platforms are inviting filmmakers,” says the director thrilled that work is now offered on the basis of merit, not the “camps you join.”

Deoskar, who is eagerly waiting for the release of the ZEE5 film 'Chhatriwali', that is scheduled to air on January 20, explains that he came aboard the social comedy because of its content. “The story had humour, but it was not a subject that is often discussed by people. [Having said that], the film is not sleazy or something my own family cannot watch. I felt [the topic] was fantastic and should be told [in a film format]. It ticked all the right boxes, for me.”