Watch: How Autobiographical Blind Spots Ruin Stories
When filmmakers get too close to their subject, they often lose the one thing that makes a story resonate: honesty. In this episode of Frequently Made Mistakes, Sudhish Kamath breaks down the dangers of autobiographical blind spots—the storytelling flaw that turns biopics into PR.
Using Sanju as a case study, we explore how proximity, nostalgia, and guilt can distort a filmmaker's perspective, softening the truth and sabotaging the story. Why did Rajkumar Hirani choose empathy over investigation? What does the film protect—and what does it hide?
We'll also show how other personal narratives like The Social Network avoid this pitfall, and offer practical writing exercises to help you build critical distance in your own scripts.
Because bad choices make good stories… only if you're brave enough to tell the truth.
SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into cinematic craft and screenwriting pitfalls.
COMMENT your favourite slow indie film—and whether it moved you or lost you.
Music: Ivan Avakian
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Dia Mirza calls for more biodiversity parks to help children bloom
Actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza shared glimpses of her visit to a lush green space in Mumbai called The Nest, expressing admiration for the way the park has been transformed into a biodiversity hotspot. Calling the visit a 'Monday morning exploration of magical green spaces,' Mirza emphasised the importance of regular interaction with nature, noting its health benefits—from regulating blood pressure and strengthening the immune system to helping children thrive. She praised The Nest for its thoughtful landscaping that incorporates native species, turning the park into a model of ecological restoration within an urban setting. In her post, the 'Sanju' actress also acknowledged the Nature Sky Walk created by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), calling it a step in the right direction for promoting environmental awareness and green living in the city. On Wednesday, Dia Mirza took to her Instagram handle and shared a video of her kids playing in the garden and wrote, 'Monday morning exploration of magical green spaces in #Mumbai Regular interaction with nature helps regulate our blood pressure, strengthens our immune system and grounds us.' 'Our children thrive in nature! @radha82 'The Nest' is such a great example of how a park can be converted into a biodiversity hotspot, simply by mindfully introducing more native species! Love what has been achieved here and believe that this is prototype that can be easily replicated across Mumbai and India. Many congratulations. Hope to keep coming back And the Nature Sky Walk by @mybmc,' she added. Earlier on World Environment Day, Dia had lauded Professor Chetan Singh Solanki—widely known as 'The Solar Man of India'—for his relentless dedication towards the Finite Earth Movement. Highlighting his mission to promote sustainable living, she applauded his continued efforts to inspire climate responsibility across communities. Reinforcing the urgency of environmental action, the 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' actress pointed to stark data from the Global Footprint Network, which reveals that humanity is consuming natural resources 1.7 times faster than Earth's ability to regenerate.
News18
13 hours ago
- News18
Sanjay Dutt Remembers Father Sunil Dutt On 20th Death Anniversary: 'Miss You Everyday'
Last Updated: Sanjay Dutt shared a heartfelt note and childhood photos on his father Sunil Dutt's 20th death anniversary, praising his humility and support. Sanjay Dutt wrote a heartfelt note for Sunil Dutt, remembering him on his 20th death anniversary. He posted photos from his childhood with his father, who was known for his humility and kindness despite his stardom and position. The veteran actor passed away on May 25, 2005, in his sleep due to a heart attack. Sunil Dutt was a huge support system to his son Sanjay Dutt during his life's many upheavals. A glimpse of the same was portrayed in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 2018 film, Sanju. In an emotional note, The Bhootnii actor wrote about how his father had prepared him for life's challenges. 'You didn't just raise me, you showed me how to stand tall when life gets tough, love you dad and miss you everyday (sic)," he penned in his post. Take a look: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) Sunil Dutt's glorious life and filmography Sunil Dutt was a renowned Indian actor, producer, director, and politician whose career spanned several decades, leaving a lasting impact on Bollywood. He began his career as a radio host and made his film debut with Railway Platform (1955). However, it was his compelling performance in Mother India (1957) that brought him widespread acclaim. Notably, in this film, he played the rebellious son of Nargis, whom he later married. Dutt was known for his versatility and gravitas, featuring in a wide array of films such as Sujata (1959), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Waqt (1965), Padosan (1968), and Reshma Aur Shera (1971), which he also directed. His roles often combined charm with intensity, addressing social issues and showcasing emotional depth. In addition to his film career, he was respected for his humanitarian work and political involvement. He served as a Member of Parliament and was the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including the loss of his wife Nargis and the difficulties related to his son Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Dutt remained a symbol of dignity and resilience. First Published:
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Dia Mirza calls for more biodiversity parks to help children bloom
Picture Credit: X Actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza shared glimpses of her visit to a lush green space in Mumbai called The Nest, expressing admiration for the way the park has been transformed into a biodiversity hotspot. Calling the visit a "Monday morning exploration of magical green spaces," Mirza emphasized the importance of regular interaction with nature, noting its health benefits-from regulating blood pressure and strengthening the immune system to helping children thrive. She praised The Nest for its thoughtful landscaping that incorporates native species, turning the park into a model of ecological restoration within an urban setting. In her post, the 'Sanju' actress also acknowledged the Nature Sky Walk created by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), calling it a step in the right direction for promoting environmental awareness and green living in the city. On Wednesday, Dia Mirza took to her Instagram handle and shared a video of her kids playing in the garden and wrote, "Monday morning exploration of magical green spaces in #Mumbai Regular interaction with nature helps regulate our blood pressure, strengthens our immune system and grounds us. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free Chess. No Ads. Just Fun Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo " "Our children thrive in nature! @radha82 'The Nest' is such a great example of how a park can be converted into a biodiversity hotspot, simply by mindfully introducing more native species! Love what has been achieved here and believe that this is prototype that can be easily replicated across Mumbai and India. Many congratulations. Hope to keep coming back And the Nature Sky Walk by @mybmc," she added. Earlier on World Environment Day , Dia had lauded Professor Chetan Singh Solanki-widely known as "The Solar Man of India"-for his relentless dedication towards the Finite Earth Movement. Highlighting his mission to promote sustainable living, she applauded his continued efforts to inspire climate responsibility across communities. Reinforcing the urgency of environmental action, the 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' actress pointed to stark data from the Global Footprint Network, which reveals that humanity is consuming natural resources 1.7 times faster than Earth's ability to regenerate.
