The British web series ‘Adolescence’ has become a hot topic, with many people discussing it. Many actors and filmmakers including Anurag Kashyap and Hansal Mehta have praised the series, with Kashyap especially impressed by its bold storytelling and strong performances. But the ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ director also criticised the way India’s one of the leading streaming platform approves content. He suggested that if ‘Adolescence’ had been pitched in India, it would not have been approved or would have been turned into a 90-minute film.
Hansal Mehta calls for a Bollywood reset
Kashyap also said that this OTT platform India focuses too much on business rather than storytelling. “Having gone through twice with them post ‘Sacred Games’ and dealing with a total lack of empathy, courage, and dumbness mixed with immense insecurity of the series head and the team that keeps getting fired. It frustrates me.” Hansal Mehta also commented on ‘Adolescence,’ saying that Bollywood needs a reset. While he did not go into details, his statement matched the ongoing discussion about the need for better storytelling in Indian cinema.
Ekta points out Box Office performance of ‘Superboys of Malegaon‘ and ‘The Buckingham Murders’
Now, producer Ekta Kapoor has now shared her thoughts, subtly responding to the views of her fellow filmmakers. Ekta shared her thoughts with a series of Instagram stories. She wrote on why quality content struggles in India. Kapoor pointed out that films like ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ and ‘The Buckingham Murders’ received critical praise but did not perform well at the box office. She questioned whether the problem was with the filmmakers or with the audience.
Ekta urges creators to put their own money
She wrote, “When ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ n my dear frn @hansalmehta the ‘Buckingham Murders’ don’t work in theatres can we blame the real culprits the ‘audiences’ n since it’s no fun blaming ppl in such abstract terms (can’t bring them down on social media nA so no fun) let’s just say that major part of India is in it’s evolutionary stage as far as content is concerned! U can say it’s in it’s adolescence.”
Kapoor also encouraged Indian filmmakers to take risks and invest their own money in projects. She criticised large studios and streaming platforms for prioritising profits over creativity. “Creators, I urge you to fight the system, these money, hungry, corporate studios and apps only think of money (me included) and Numbers!!!!!!! Movie making, content creation is not a business. It’s an art and I want to support art, so I urge creators to put their own money …problem solved!!!!”
