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The Hindi film industry is undergoing a shift as traditional ideas of movie-making are changing, making way for edgier and original storytelling, says screenwriter-producer Kanika Dhillon.
Kanika Dhillon opens up on changing Bollywood business model; says, “Even a superstar cannot guarantee footfall in a theatre”
Dhillon, who has penned some of the game-changing titles of recent times, from Manmarziyaan, Kedarnath, Judgementall Hai Kya to the Haseen Dillruba franchise, was speaking at the 7th edition of the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC) hosted by the Screenwriters Association of India (SWA) on Friday.
“I would like to see the glass half full. The grammar of the industry is changing,” Dhillon said at the session ‘The Mainstream Reality’, where she was joined by Pathaan dialogue writer Abbas Tyrewala, Maddock Horror Comedy Universe writer Niren Bhatt and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 writer Aakash Kaushik. The session was moderated by Hitesh Kewalya, writer of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.
“When I came in it was a star-driven system. The business would dictate what would be made and what not. That understanding has gone for a toss because now even a superstar cannot guarantee footfall in a theatre. Now, the fee structure is breaking. We’re in a content-driven business. We’re not making enough films. Nobody knows what’s working and the audience is asking for more.
“The horse is before the cart and in this business, it is storytelling. That way it is a good time for storytellers but originality in this day and age will save you,” Dhillon added.
In 2023, the screenwriter turned producer and launched Kathha Pictures, which also backed Kriti Sanon starrer Netflix thriller Do Patti.
Dhillon said in the current climate, IP is never with the creator but with producers and hence they need to become more than just screenwriters.
Recalling her screenwriting debut with Manmarziyaan in 2018, Dhillon ensured she was also the “creative producer” on the Anurag Kashyap directorial, which starred Taapsee Pannu, Abhsihek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal.
“Now talks are on for Haseen Dillruba 3, but if I had not been a creative producer on the film, chances are I would not have found out directly about it but through other sources,” she added.
At the ISC, which concludes on Sunday, renowned screenwriters and creators including Kiran Rao, Shoojit Sarkar, Nikkhil Advani, Dibakar Banerjee, Biswapati Sarkar and Anand Tiwari will be sharing their experiences, techniques and the secrets behind their most successful works, and how they negotiate the changing dynamics of the industry and its ‘New Reality’.
Also Read : Taapsee Pannu performs her own stunts in Gandhari, Kanika Dhillon reveals BTS details; watch
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