Nikkhil Advani Blasts Paid Reviews: “Indian Audience Has Lost Faith In Filmmakers’

In a Candid Chat with Hindustan Times, Nikkhil Advani Discusses Today’s Hindi Cinema and Karan Tejpal’s First Film ‘Stolen’

With Stolen, debutant director Karan Tejpal receives strong support from Bollywood stalwarts Nikkhil Advani, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Kiran Rao, all serving as executive producers.

As the film nears release, Nikkhil Advani spoke with Hindustan Times about the project, starring Abhishek Banerjee, and offered insights into the evolving distribution landscape in Indian cinema.

As An Executive Producer On Stolen

Nikkhil Advani points out that Stolen, like many indie projects, leans on the presence of influential executive producers for visibility. Still, he believes the industry should strive beyond this model.

“The ultimate success will be when films like Stolen don’t need our names attached,” he says, highlighting the growing disconnect between filmmakers and their audiences.

“Right now, it feels like the audience is saying, ‘We don’t buy it. Everything is paid for.’ But all we’re trying to communicate is: trust us. We’ve always maintained a reputation for quality storytelling.”

Acknowledging the growing awareness among moviegoers, D-Day director Nikkhil Advani shares, “Audiences today are very informed, largely due to social media. Everything they need to know is right there on their phones.”

How Commercial Blockbusters & Indie Films Are Worlds Apart

India’s cinematic landscape has long been divided: from the early days of ‘parallel cinema’ to the emergence of ‘multiplex’ and now ‘festival’ films.

Nikkhil Advani comments on the state of creative freedom: “Filmmakers are left with fewer choices, as the pressure to stick to the formula becomes more intense.”

“To break away from formulaic cinema, you still need something bankable, like a famous actor, a trusted director, or a well-known producer. Yet, I believe change is coming. Audiences eventually gravitate toward good storytelling.”

Post-pandemic, the Indian film industry has witnessed a slump in theatrical revenues. Nikkhil Advani, however, sees hope in changing trends: “Audiences are spending — just not in cinemas. Vir Das expanded his tour from 6 to 60 cities.” According to Nikkhil, the key to recovery is engagement. “To win them back, we must genuinely listen.”

The gripping thriller Stolen, starring Abhishek Banerjee, is currently streaming on Prime Video.

Also Read: Akshay Kumar Wears Killer Mask, Poses As Fan Outside Bandra’s Housefull 5 Show

Find all the interesting and recent entertainment news across the world. Bollywoodnewsflash brings you the highlights of all the trending Hollywood News. Stay calm and updated for the latest news directly from the world of entertainment.

Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Google News

Amareesh Prajapati

I’m the person who occasionally crushes on fictional characters. Someone who’s fascinated with films, SEO, and writing. Here’s welcoming all you fellow movie lovers out there. Happy Reading!