The acclaimed film “Stolen,” which garnered attention at over 40 film festivals, is now available on OTT, with its makers and stars discussing its powerful message and journey.
The Heart of the Story: A Real-Life Incident
Director Karan Tejpal revealed that the inspiration for “Stolen” came from a shocking 2018 incident in Karbi Anglong. Two men were brutally lynched due to false “child kidnapping” rumors circulating on social media, often referred to as “WhatsApp lynchings.”
Tejpal was deeply disturbed by the injustice and the rapid spread of misinformation, which led to numerous similar cases across India. He felt compelled to explore the “why” and “how” behind such horrific events through storytelling.
Bringing the Brothers to Life
Actor Abhishek Banerjee was immediately captivated by the concept, especially the unique filmmaking approach. The initial idea of a single-take road film intrigued him, and he committed to the project after the very first meeting.
Banerjee stars alongside Shubham Vardhan, who plays his brother in the film. Both actors share a long history, having attended Delhi’s Kirori Mal College together. This existing comfort and understanding proved beneficial on set, allowing them to provide honest feedback to each other.
Director Karan Tejpal specifically chose Abhishek for his realistic performances and control over his craft. He noted the contrasting yet complementary styles of Banerjee’s “mind-driven” and Vardhan’s “gut-driven” acting.
Balancing Message and Engagement
The creators emphasized that “Stolen” aims for nuance rather than direct preaching, offering a social commentary that naturally stems from their perspective of the world. Their goal was to make the film accessible and engaging for all viewers, proving that an impactful story can also be commercially viable in the digital age.
The Strategic OTT Release
Despite its success at prestigious festivals like Venice, “Stolen” opted for an OTT release instead of a traditional theatrical run. Producer Gaurav Dhingra explained their vision for a global film and the challenges of coordinating simultaneous international theatrical releases.
The team secured a deal with Amazon Prime Video, supported by executive producers Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Nikkhil Advani, and Kiran Rao. This decision allowed them to avoid the significant marketing pressures and box office uncertainties associated with theatrical distribution, ensuring wider reach and combating piracy.
The State of Independent Cinema Today
The film’s journey highlights the current struggles faced by independent cinema. Gaurav Dhingra pointed out the “crumbling” distribution system and high ticket prices as major hurdles. He believes the exhibition system needs to forge new partnerships with filmmakers to thrive.
Actors Abhishek Banerjee and Shubham Vardhan echoed concerns about the industry’s increasing tendency towards “safe” projects. This risk-averse approach, they argue, has led to a stagnation in creativity, with many films appearing to be mere copies of one another.
- “Stolen” is inspired by the 2018 Karbi Anglong “WhatsApp lynching” incident.
- Director Karan Tejpal aimed to explore the human aspect of misinformation and injustice.
- Actors Abhishek Banerjee and Shubham Vardhan, long-time friends, play brothers in the film.
- The film prioritizes nuanced storytelling over direct social preaching.
- It opted for a global OTT release to ensure wider access and avoid theatrical pressures.
- Filmmakers express concern over the “stagnation” and “copy-cat” nature of the current film business.
The journey of “Stolen” underscores the ongoing efforts of independent filmmakers to tell compelling, relevant stories in a challenging yet evolving industry landscape.
