Showing posts with label Satyanshu Singh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Satyanshu Singh. Show all posts
You don’t have this much autonomy when directly dealing with streamers-Vikramaditya Motwane
3:14 PM
Black Warrant creator Vikramaditya Motwane on how the series’ making can serve as a model to ensure filmmakers’ creative freedom when working with streamers
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 30, 2025)
For Vikramaditya Motwane, 2025 began with his show, Black Warrant, winning praise. What added to his joy is that the prison drama gave its leading man Zahan Kapoor his big break. The creator-director is impressed that the actor is keeping a low profile despite the series’ success.
“I love that. Everybody presumes things about him, and wonders where this guy had been. They forget that he has been working in theatre for the last 10 years. I feel he’ll be judicious about the [projects] he’ll pick because he has a firm head on his shoulders,” says Motwane.
The Netflix prison drama was praised for its storytelling as well as performances. But Motwane believes there is more to learn from Black Warrant. The creator hopes that it can serve as a model for the making of web series in India.
He breaks it down, saying, “Satyanshu [Singh, co-creator], I and our team invested in the development process. We wrote a bible and two episodes, and then took it to Applause Entertainment. That way, you’ve already set the show’s creative tone. After Applause came on board, we made it and then took it to OTTs. This model offers a lot of independence and a correct creative approach.”
Most creators struggle to achieve such autonomy while dealing with streamers. It has become a talking point in the film industry, with many filmmakers echoing how their creativity is stifled by OTT giants. Does Motwane believe he would’ve enjoyed similar freedom if a streamer had come on board at an earlier stage?
“You don’t have this much autonomy when directly dealing with streamers. I’m not against the idea of a collaboration, but it has to be correct. Things can’t be made by committees. You need to support creators. During the feedback process, rather than telling us we’re wrong, tell us the alternative [to a scene]. When executives are offered a lot of material, they tend to look at everything in an instinctive way. That becomes counter-productive because you are seeing everything in the same way.”
Motwane rues that the industry is going through a lull, where “a lot of pitching is happening”, but not enough is graduating to production. He, however, has his hands full with various projects. “I’m writing a sports biopic,” is all he is willing to share at the moment.
Chintu Ka Birthday directors Devanshu, Satyanshu give credits to #MeToo accused Gursimran Khamba
8:09 AM
Writer-director duo Devanshu, Sudhanshu Singh explain why they retained #MeToo accused Gursimran Khamba's name in Chintu Ka Birthday trailer
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 4, 2020)
Back in 2018, the Vinay Pathak and Tillotama Shome starrer, Chintu Ka Birthday was dropped from the MAMI line-up after All India Bakchod (AIB) member Gursimran Khamba was entangled in the #MeToo controversy. However, two years later, the producer has been credited in the trailer of the film. Writer-director duo Devanshu and Satyanshu Singh stand by their final outcome. Satyanshu says, "Even when our film was suffering, we opted to stand by the movement by not claiming the film."He adds that they didn't dispute MAMI's decision in 2018. "Considering we haven't spoken against MAMI's decision, means that we are supportive of the movement."
On probing further about acknowledging Khamba in the trailer credits, Satyanshu believes it is only "fair". "When this film was dropped, family members and friends were heartbroken. They wanted us to fight [for the film], but we maintained our silence. There is enough precedent in the past, where people in the wrong have [moved on] and done their thing. Khamba is a friend and I know the truth better than most people. I believe it is a fair credit," insists Satyanshu.
After being stuck in the cans for long, the light-hearted family drama, set in Iraq 2004, will finally see a digital release on Zee5. Writer-director duo insist they stuck their neck out for the film because of their faith in the project, they insist. Devanshu says, "It's not over confidence, we believed in the film when we wrote it back in 2007. It has stayed with us for 13 years, so one can imagine how special it is to us. On gauging the reaction of viewers, we agreed that the film is in indeed special. I am glad it is releasing digitally, but as directors, we understand the logistics."
It is unfortunate that our film is suffering-Satyanshu Singh
8:04 AM
As AIB-produced film is dropped from MAMI, Chintu Ka Birthday directors hope movie will find audience
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; October 10, 2018)
In light of the sexual harassment allegations against All India Bakchod (AIB) member Gursimran Khamba and inaction on part of co-founder Tanmay Bhat, the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) dropped the AIB-produced Chintu Ka Birthday from the line-up of the upcoming edition of the MAMI Film Festival. In its statement, MAMI announced that the decision stemmed from their desire to "find solutions to harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace".Directed by Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh, the film marked AIB's foray into feature films and was to premiere at the festival. The decision has understandably evoked mixed feelings in the director duo.
Satyanshu (left) said, "It is unfortunate that our film is suffering. But we need to look at the bigger picture. It's not a time to be angry about it because I believe something big [referring to the #MeToo movement] is going on."When asked if they plan to appeal to the festival organisers to reconsider the matter, Devanshu said, "On one hand, we support the movement and my heart goes out to all the victims. But on the other hand, it is our first film. I am too new to know how the industry works." Satyanshu though remains optimistic: "I am sure our film will find an audience."
Siblings who wrote Udaan poems direct short film on LGBT community
8:35 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 24, 2014)
"Do ishq ki ijaazat, ilzaam ab hatado... Hum gair hain nahin, Ek baar to jatado..."
(Let love be my right, no longer a crime. Accept us as your own, for cnce atleast)
Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh, the brothers who penned the poems which Rajat Barmecha's character recites in Vikramaditya Motwane's Udaan, are back in the spotlight. But this time with not just a verse in a movie, but a movie.
The duo has directed a five-minute short film, Ishq Ki Ijaazat, which premiered online on Monday.
It revolves around a young lesbian duo, an old gay couple and a transgender with a lover. "We wanted to enter their homes and show the world that they're as normal as the rest of us. My brother had written the poem a while ago which we recently found in his diary. We couldn't get a more relevant topic to underline the discrimination against the LGBT community," says Devanshu.
The duo, being mentored by Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap, approached Huma Qureshi to do the voiceover. "We felt her voice had the right nazakat. We were sure we wanted a female voice for the soulful poem," he explains.
All the artistes and technicians have worked for free. Shekhar Kapur-AR Rahman's company, Qyuki, have produced the film and mobilised support online. "They have given us complete creative freedom as far as the film's content goes," Devanshu added.
What next? "Between Udaan and Ishq Ki Ijaazat, we made a 30-minute short film Tamaash which won the National Award, but nobody had the patience to watch it," he laughs.
"We've now written a script about a couple who despite difficult circumstances, cut a cake on their little boy's birthday. Both Anurag and Vikram have liked it and have asked us to direct. It will be our feature film debut and will be produced under their banner."
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