Latest news with #Nikkhil
News18
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Even Reviews Are Bought': Nikkhil Advani Gets Candid After Stolen Debuts Online
Last Updated: According to Nikkhil, the main reason behind the distrust is that everything is bought; even reviews are also paid. Abhishek Banerjee-starrer investigative crime thriller Stolen has now finally premiered on Prime Video. Karan Tejpal made his directorial debut in this film, which is backed by four renowned filmmakers who served as executive producers. Anurag Kashyap, Nikkhil Advani, Kiran Rao, and Vikramaditya Motwane came together to lend their expertise to the film. Stolen revolves around two urban brothers who witness the kidnapping of a baby and decide to help the mother by joining a perilous investigation to search for the baby. Ahead of the release, filmmaker Nikkhil Advani appeared in an interview with the Hindustan Times as he talked about the film and the current state of the film industry in general. Talking about being associated with the film, Nikkhil stated that although Stolen is a small independent film, it does not need big names to back it. 'Who are we? We are just putting our muscle or credibility behind this film," he explained while asserting that nowadays there has been a growing distrust between the audience and the filmmaker. Talking about this lasting distrust, Nikkhil explained the main reason behind this situation is that everything is bought; even reviews are also paid. 'Audiences today, thanks to social media, have got so much information," said the filmmaker. Nikkhil, who is known for widely popular films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Batla House, and D-Day, among others, went on to talk about the difference between commercial and independent cinema. According to the filmmaker, this distinction has existed in the Indian film industry for decades, and nowadays the choices are becoming smaller, whereas the huge demand to conform to the formula is only getting higher. He further explained that when a filmmaker wants to do something out of the ordinary, he has to make it marketable either with the cast, director, or producer. However, Nikkhil is hopeful this notion will turn and a good-quality film will find its audience. Additionally, while reflecting on the fact that Bollywood is currently facing a decline in revenue in the aftermath of COVID-19, Nikkhil noted that audiences are nowadays more inclined towards spending money on live shows and stand-up comedies and argued that with the help of good-quality films, audiences need to be won back. First Published:
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'Reviews are paid, everything is bought': Nikkhil Advani says Indian audience no longer trusts filmmakers
Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani is one of the four executive producers behind debutant director Karan Tejpal's new film, Stolen. Nikkhil, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Kiran Rao have come together to lend their weight to the film, which stars Abhishek Banerjee. Ahead of the release, the filmmaker spoke to HT about the film, the state of film distribution in India, and more. Stolen follows a time-honoured tradition of getting 'big names' as executive producers for small, independent films to ensure they have visibility. But Nikkhil says the Utopian goal would be not to be in such a situation. "A big point to celebrate will be that a film like Stolen doesn't need us," he says, explaining, "Who are we? We are just putting our muscle or credibility behind this film. I think there is a complete distrust right now between the audience and the filmmaker. Basically, the audience is saying, 'Whatever you say, we don't trust you. Reviews are paid, and everything is bought.' We are just trying to say, 'Trust us!' At the end of the day, there is a certain quality we are known for." Nikkhil, who is known for films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, D-Day, and Batla House, lauds the contemporary audience for being well informed, which makes them choosier. "Audiences today, thanks to social media, have got so much information. They've got everything on their fingertips," says the filmmaker. The demarcation between independent and commercial cinema has existed in Indian filmdom for decades. For years, the indie films were called parallel cinema. Then the term multiplex films came into being, and today they are referred to as festival films. Talking about the divide, Nikkhil says, "The choices are becoming smaller. The demand to conform to the formula is getting much higher. When you want to disrupt and do something off the beaten track, you really have to do something that is marketable, whether that is the cast, the director, or the producer. But, I am very hopeful that it will turn. It has to. A good quality film will find its audience." Over the last few years, since the COVID-19 pandemic, Bollywood has seen a decline in revenue and success rate in the theatres. But Nikkhil is quick to note: "The same audience is spending money in comedy clubs and live shows. Vir Das told me earlier he used to do India tour in 6 cities. Now, he does 60 cities." The implication is simple. "The audiences need to be won back, and that is possible only by listening to them," argues the filmmaker. Stolen, starring Abhishek Banerjee, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
