Indraneil Sengupta recalls getting locked for a film with Gautam Rode; says ‘We were invested so much but later it came out with bigger stars and named Dus'
Indraneil Sengupta
recently shared an emotional story from the early days of his career in a candid vlog conversation with actress Sanghamitra Hitaishi. Reflecting on a missed opportunity that left a lasting impact, he recalled how he and fellow actors
Gautam Rode
and Muzammil Ibrahim were once locked for a major film that was later made with bigger stars — the 2005 action thriller Dus.
Back when Indraneil was still working as a model, filmmaker
Anubhav Sinha
had cast the trio for an ambitious project titled Nasha.
He said, 'I had tears in my eyes for a professional thing that didn't happen. I used to do modelling back then. Anubhav Sinha was making a film. Three youngsters were taken. I was there, Gautam Rode was there, he is very popular on TV and Muzammil Ibrahim was there. He is also a good looking model. We three were signed for a 3 or 5 years contract.
We felt very good about ourselves that we have finally cracked it… now we are in the big game.
It was an action film. I couldn't swim so I used to go to Anubhav Sinha's flat to practice swimming and also go for action classes. We started working out more, taking protein powders and all. We were invested towards that film. Gautam was very sincere. He used to call us home to practice old movie scenes. Muzammil and I were models, we didn't want to do that but he would force us to come and all.'
He then added, 'Then things were not moving for a few months. We kept calling Anubhav bhaiya that what's happening. He said there's a delay. At one point, he told us, 'You can release your dates and take up other work because I don't think it is happening.' It didn't happen, it changed hands, and then it was made with bigger stars. That film was Dus. It was called Nasha, back then. I had cried my heart out and I felt my entire world has come crashing down.
'
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Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Anubhav Sinha stresses urgent need to rebuild theatrical ecosystem; warns Indian film industry's economy faces collapse amid OTT challenges
Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS) Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is known for 'Mulk', Thappad', 'Bheed' and others is contemplating on the ecosystem and the economics of the Indian film industry. The filmmaker recently took to his Instagram, and shared a video of himself in which he is talking to the camera. Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS) Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is known for 'Mulk', Thappad', 'Bheed' and others is contemplating on the ecosystem and the economics of the Indian film industry. The filmmaker recently took to his Instagram, and shared a video of himself in which he is talking to the camera. 1 2 Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha , who is known for 'Mulk', Thappad', 'Bheed' and others is contemplating on the ecosystem and the economics of the Indian film industry . The filmmaker recently took to his Instagram, and shared a video of himself in which he is talking to the camera. Views the theatre versus OTT debate He shared how the film industry has always evolved with time and has taken new media in its stride in each era. However, the medium of OTT is something that the industry is finding difficult to navigate. He said, "There's a big debate going on nowadays, Theatre vs OTT, I don't understand this debate. When the movies started, they used to come in theatres. Everyone used to watch it only in theatres. Then Doordarshan came. They said, 'We'll also show the films'. We said, 'Welcome'. Then satellite TV came. they said, 'We'll also show the films. We said, 'Welcome'. Then multiplexes came. They also said the same thing, we welcomed them as well. And, it's no different with OTT. So where did this problem come from all of a sudden? What is this debate?". He said that the makers don't have a problem with showing a film on OTT because when everyone was buying OTT, no one was upset. Highlights shift in OTT economics model He further mentioned, "Now suddenly OTT said, 'We don't want so many films, and we won't give so much money'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Until now, our entire economics was dependent on OTT. So now we have a problem. Whether it's cinema hall, Doordarshan, satellite TV, OTT, multiplexes, these are all business endeavours. They will make their own system. And filmmaking is a business endeavour. We are dependent on them, we are dependent on them. So why should we talk about democracy in this? Democracy has already become meaningless in the world". Stresses impact of piracy on films He said that the debate should be, that the next day after a film's release, why does it come on illegal platforms like Telegram? He went on, "No one talks about it. Neither does the industry talk about it. We have never protested for it. The next day in the morning, on every mobile phone, on Telegram, every film and every OTT series releases. So are they such big people that we can't stop them. There is no debate about this. And I think a bigger debate than this is, that the biggest population of the country is not able to afford multiplexes. Multiplex said that we will make 5 star cinemas. That was their business model. Whether it is working for them or not, that is their problem. But when they made 5 star cinema halls, then all the single screens crumbled. It was a disaster". Points to decline of single screens The filmmaker said that once during his visit to Varanasi, he was heartbroken to find only one single screen of Anand Nandiram. He shared, "It is finished. So now, the middle class people don't have that much money. They are scared to go to multiplexes. Where can they go in 5 star cinemas? They don't have the courage. So when multiplexes started, the government gave them support. They gave a tax rebate. There was a tax vacation for so many years. What else was there? I think this is a big business opportunity. Where did those single screens go?". Notes affordability issues for middle class He continued, "I think this is the time when those cinema halls need to be revived. Because the middle class people, or even the middle class people, and the middle class people, have two options. Either you go to 5 star cinemas and watch a movie, or you watch it on your phone. There is no third option. If you go to YouTube, where Aamir has done a new experiment, which is a very good thing, and they are playing so much on the front foot that maybe they will have to do the same in the future. And they play on the front foot. Any business is done on the front foot. Today, they like YouTube because there is democracy there. But that might change". Calls for stronger, resilient business models He said, "If there is a 4-star movie, then YouTube will say, '80% of the revenue share will be ours and 20% will be yours'. Or if they don't show all the movies, then we will have a problem with YouTube that every business model is going to work in its own direction, today or tomorrow. So, we will have to make our business model as filmmakers so robust that it remains insulated from all these kinds of changes. And that will only happen when we depend on the theater. We keep saying that cinema is going on in the South. Because there, there are single-screen theaters that they can afford. They take chances that maybe this movie will be good. So, they go to take chances. Now, people are not able to afford to take chances in Hindi cinema". Believes real debate lies elsewhere "So, I think the two most important debates are how the film comes on Telegram on Saturday and Sunday. And, how can we afford to buy the tickets for our poor people who are middle class. The rest are all business plans of people. Nowadays, capitalism also wears the kurta of society. So, we should not talk about democracy too much. We should talk about how we will get money if we watch movies. So, there is something that we need to do about these two things. I think this is the real debate", he added.
News18
10-08-2025
- News18
Anubhav Sinha Urges Film Industry To Build Strong Theatrical Ecosystem To Avoid Economic Collapse
Anubhav Sinha discussed the evolving Indian film industry, highlighting challenges from OTT platforms and piracy, emphasising the need to revive single-screen theaters. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is known for 'Mulk', Thappad', 'Bheed' and others is contemplating on the ecosystem and the economics of the Indian film industry. The filmmaker recently took to his Instagram, and shared a video of himself in which he is talking to the camera. He shared how the film industry has always evolved with time and has taken new media in its stride in each era. However, the medium of OTT is something that the industry is finding difficult to navigate. He said, 'There's a big debate going on nowadays, Theatre vs OTT, I don't understand this debate. When the movies started, they used to come in theatres. Everyone used to watch it only in theatres. Then Doordarshan came. They said, 'We'll also show the films'. We said, 'Welcome'. Then satellite TV came. they said, 'We'll also show the films. We said, 'Welcome'. Then multiplexes came. They also said the same thing, we welcomed them as well. And, it's no different with OTT. So where did this problem come from all of a sudden? What is this debate?". He said that the makers don't have a problem with showing a film on OTT because when everyone was buying OTT, no one was upset. He further mentioned, 'Now suddenly OTT said, 'We don't want so many films, and we won't give so much money'. Until now, our entire economics was dependent on OTT. So now we have a problem. Whether it's cinema hall, Doordarshan, satellite TV, OTT, multiplexes, these are all business endeavours. They will make their own system. And filmmaking is a business endeavour. We are dependent on them, we are dependent on them. So why should we talk about democracy in this? Democracy has already become meaningless in the world". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinhaa) He said that the debate should be, that the next day after a film's release, why does it come on illegal platforms like Telegram? He went on, 'No one talks about it. Neither does the industry talk about it. We have never protested for it. The next day in the morning, on every mobile phone, on Telegram, every film and every OTT series releases. So are they such big people that we can't stop them. There is no debate about this. And I think a bigger debate than this is, that the biggest population of the country is not able to afford multiplexes. Multiplex said that we will make 5 star cinemas. That was their business model. Whether it is working for them or not, that is their problem. But when they made 5 star cinema halls, then all the single screens crumbled. It was a disaster". The filmmaker said that once during his visit to Varanasi, he was heartbroken to find only one single screen of Anand Nandiram. He shared, 'It is finished. So now, the middle class people don't have that much money. They are scared to go to multiplexes. Where can they go in 5 star cinemas? They don't have the courage. So when multiplexes started, the government gave them support. They gave a tax rebate. There was a tax vacation for so many years. What else was there? I think this is a big business opportunity. Where did those single screens go?". He continued, 'I think this is the time when those cinema halls need to be revived. Because the middle class people, or even the middle class people, and the middle class people, have two options. Either you go to 5 star cinemas and watch a movie, or you watch it on your phone. There is no third option. If you go to YouTube, where Aamir has done a new experiment, which is a very good thing, and they are playing so much on the front foot that maybe they will have to do the same in the future. And they play on the front foot. Any business is done on the front foot. Today, they like YouTube because there is democracy there. But that might change". He said, 'If there is a 4-star movie, then YouTube will say, '80% of the revenue share will be ours and 20% will be yours'. Or if they don't show all the movies, then we will have a problem with YouTube that every business model is going to work in its own direction, today or tomorrow. So, we will have to make our business model as filmmakers so robust that it remains insulated from all these kinds of changes. And that will only happen when we depend on the theater. We keep saying that cinema is going on in the South. Because there, there are single-screen theaters that they can afford. They take chances that maybe this movie will be good. So, they go to take chances. Now, people are not able to afford to take chances in Hindi cinema". 'So, I think the two most important debates are how the film comes on Telegram on Saturday and Sunday. And, how can we afford to buy the tickets for our poor people who are middle class. The rest are all business plans of people. Nowadays, capitalism also wears the kurta of society. So, we should not talk about democracy too much. We should talk about how we will get money if we watch movies. So, there is something that we need to do about these two things. I think this is the real debate", he added. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
08-08-2025
- Time of India
Anubhav Sinha: Mumbai mera shareer hai... Banaras meri aatma
Anubhav Sinha set out to capture the soul of the Varanasi – often dubbed the spiritual capital of India – with frames of kanwariyas to sadhu babas. HOMETOWN DIARIES: Today, we begin a new series – Hometown Diaries – where storytellers of Hindi cinema take us back to the places where their roots lie. With hearts full of bachpan ke kisse-kahaniyaan, they revisit the old, familiar lanes that have shaped their present. Join us as we kickstart this journey with Anubhav Sinha as he revisits Banaras ki galiyan. When Anubhav Sinha recently revisited Varanasi, we accompanied him as he walked through the lanes of his old school, sipped chai at tapris, and stopped by iconic cinema halls. The filmmaker shares that this is the city that shaped both his memories and his movies. In the first chapter of our Hometown Diaries, Sinha tells us about his bond with the city and how it has influenced him in myriad ways – from his taste in cinema to his taste in food. 'Main jo bhi hoon yahin se hun' A visit to his alma mater, Government Queens Inter College, triggered a flood of memories – from his first day of school to playing cricket on the sprawling field. With a smile, he says, 'Main jo hoon, woh yahin se hoon.' The Bheed director fondly remembers the day he got admitted to the school. 'My parents took me for admission. My mother had written the principal's name on a small piece of paper and slipped it into my father's pocket. Someone had told her it was a totka to make things go your way. When my admission was approved, I could see that glint in her eyes, like the totka had worked. That's the kind of belief people had back then, that a name on paper could change your luck,' he laughs. I am happy that even if I stay in a plush hotel, I like eating at a nondescript or no-frills place. Being a Banarasi at heart, I am equally comfortable at five-star hotels and roadside dhabas Anubhav Sinha Sinha also recalls playing gend-tari, a local game where kids strike each other with a ball. 'During monsoon, the moisture made it hit really hard (to play) but it was great fun,' he grins. One cricket match also stands out. 'I lost track of time while playing, and when I looked up after scoring a run, I saw my father standing across the field. Instead of completing the run, I ran straight home. But I got a spanking later from my father for being late,' he laughs. Right from the way he likes his food to his love for cinema — Varanasi is at the heart of it all for Sinha. He sums up this all-encompassing emotion about the city in these words: 'Mumbai mera shareer hai aur Banaras meri aatma' In Varanasi, if you meet someone's eyes, they'll smile at you, no matter who you are or where you're from. People are genuinely friendly. That spirit is something I carry within me, even now Anubhav Sinha, filmmaker 'I miss the authentic Banarasi food in Mumbai' Anubhav Sinha often finds himself craving the flavours of his hometown, Varanasi, especially the authentic Banarasi food he struggles to find in Mumbai. He fondly recalls his childhood visits to Basant Bahar, a local Varanasi restaurant where his father would take him and his elder sister. 'We used to wait eagerly for the kaju-wala dosa. It was slightly expensive than the regular ones – `2 at the time – which was a lot back in the 70s. We'd feel bad later that papa had to spend extra for us,' he smiles. The taste of jalebi and lassi brings back a flood of memories. 'I only eat jalebi and lassi when I'm in Banaras, I don't even remember the last time I had lassi in Mumbai,' he says, sipping from his second kullhar of lassi at Basant Bahar, the place where, he reveals, he had his first proper dining-out experience. Anubhav Sinha says, 'Tea stalls across Banaras are such happening places' After his mother passed away, Sinha and his family turned to YouTube and recipe blogs in search of that elusive Banarasi taste. 'We never thought we'd need to learn her recipes, it never occurred to us that maa wouldn't always be around. But once she was gone, we missed her food terribly. We figured out how saunf is used in Banarasi sabzis, but there's still a lot to learn to get that taste right,' he admits. I only eat jalebi and lassi when I'm in Banaras, I don't even remember the last time I had lassi in Mumbai I only eat jalebi and lassi when I'm in Banaras, I don't even remember the last time I had lassi in Mumbai Anubhav Sinha For special occasions like Holi, Sinha even flies down a cook from Banaras who brings with him local spices just to recreate the flavours of home. 'The food tastes awesome. Ghar ki yaad aa jaati hai,' he says. He also reminisces about his mornings spent at the city's chai tapris, sipping on kullhar wali chai amid buzzing conversations. 'It was never just about the tea. These stalls were the meeting grounds for most Banarasis, where everyone gathered – you'd pick up a newspaper, chat with strangers and discuss everything from local news to world politics,' he says. Interestingly, Sinha found a similar culture in Rome. 'Just like in Banaras, people there start their mornings with coffee, a croissant, and the newspaper. In Banaras, it's tea and a newspaper at a tea stall. Uss akhbaar ki khabron se phir baat ka silsila shuru hota hai. These tea stalls across Banaras are such happening places,' he adds. 'The jo hoga, dekha jayega mindset came to me from Banaras' At Government Queens Inter College, his alma mater from 1971 to 1988, the film director left an emotional note in the visitors' registerAt Government Queens Inter College, his alma mater from 1971 to 1988, the film director left an emotional note in the visitors' register. Sinha credits Varanasi for nurturing his love for music, literature, and his laid-back approach to life. The city's warmth and unhurried charm have deeply influenced his interactions with people, even in a fast-paced city like Mumbai, where he now straddles two very different worlds. The famed Banarasi attitude of 'jo hoga, dekha jayega' stayed with him. So did the spirit of connection. 'My friends in Mumbai get surprised that I talk to everyone, from the building guard to the taxi driver. They ask, 'Why do you chat with everyone?' I tell them, it's not planned. It just comes from within.' He believes that ease comes from Banaras. 'There, if you meet someone's eyes, they'll smile at you, no matter who you are or where you're from. People are open, confident, and genuinely friendly. That spirit is something I carry within me, even now.' Balancing the philosophies of both cities isn't easy, he admits. 'Mumbai mera shareer hai aur Banaras meri aatma hai. Inn dono ke beech mein ladai chalti rehti hai. But I am happy that even if I stay in a plush hotel, I like eating at a nondescript place. Being a Banarasi at heart, I am equally comfortable at five-star hotels and roadside dhabas.' I used to go early in the morning to fetch milk from a dairy in Kabir Chaura, where many music legends lived. While waiting for my turn, I'd hear them doing riyaaz. Woh sangeet ki aawaz abhi tak mere zehan mein hai. My love for literature also began here I used to go early in the morning to fetch milk from a dairy in Kabir Chaura, where many music legends lived. While waiting for my turn, I'd hear them doing riyaaz. Woh sangeet ki aawaz abhi tak mere zehan mein hai. My love for literature also began here Anubhav Sinha 'My fascination with films began in Varanasi' Sinha visited the single screen cinema hall Anand Mandir in Varanasi Sinha also took us to Anand Mandir Cinema in Teliyabagh, the only single-screen theatre still running in Varanasi. 'I brought the entire star cast of my first film Tum Bin (2001) here nearly 24 years ago because I wanted my hometown to see what I'd created. Their opinion mattered to me the most,' he recalls. The show ran to a full house, a moment that overwhelmed Sinha. 'Back then, the theatre screened Hindi films too, contrary to only regional cinema nowadays,' he adds. His connection with Anand Cinema goes back even further. 'It was in the vicinity of my school, so one day I bunked classes and watched Love Story (1981), the Kumar Gaurav film, my first movie without my parents. Jab yeh silsila ek baar shuru hua, toh phir chalta raha. You could say my fascination with films began right here.'
