Filmmaker Anand Gandhi recently opened up about directing the acclaimed film Tumbbad, clarifying that he took over the project from Rahi Anil Barve, while also reflecting on 12 years of his philosophical hit, Ship of Theseus.
The Enduring Appeal of Ship of Theseus
Anand Gandhi believes his film Ship of Theseus continues to resonate because it tackles fundamental human questions. Themes like identity, origin, purpose, and death are explored rigorously, drawing from fields like neurobiology and philosophy.
These are questions we instinctively ask as children, and they remain central to human experience. The film’s combination of deep inquiry and personal reflection contributes to its lasting impact on audiences.
Bringing a Complex Film to Audiences
Releasing Ship of Theseus was initially a significant challenge due to its complex, non-commercial nature. It wasn’t until Kiran Rao, Disney, and Aamir Khan lent their support that the distribution became possible.
Gandhi was convinced that Indian audiences were ready for such a philosophically rich film, despite distributor skepticism. A powerful, community-driven social media campaign proved him right, leading to screenings in 89 cities across India.
The Genesis of a Philosophical Story
The core ideas for Ship of Theseus emerged from Gandhi’s personal philosophical journey and significant life events. Nursing his grandparents through illness in his twenties brought his abstract knowledge into sharp focus.
He realized his philosophical understanding hadn’t prepared him for life’s immediate, practical demands. This pivotal moment pushed him to explore if profound questions could yield not just meaningful answers, but also utilitarian ones that serve people in their everyday lives.
Are Indian Audiences Underestimated?
Gandhi isn’t sure if Ship of Theseus would perform differently if released today. While it was an early Indian acquisition for Netflix, he believes the real issue lies in how many contemporary platforms misinterpret Indian viewers.
He argues that these outlets often default to simpler narratives or Western remakes, underestimating India’s centuries-deep traditions of philosophical inquiry and narrative sophistication. This underestimation, he states, results in a lack of diverse content and ultimately, diminished returns.
Anand Gandhi on Directing Tumbbad
A significant clarification from Gandhi is about his involvement in the critically acclaimed film Tumbbad. He revealed that he, in fact, directed the movie, not Rahi Anil Barve, a fact he says is well-known within the industry.
His credit on the film reads ‘Creative Director,’ a title he invented for this specific situation. This was done to honor the fact that Rahi Anil Barve had initially started working on the film as director.
Scrapping and Reshooting the Film
Gandhi explained that he had to scrap the original footage and reshoot the entire film from scratch. This extensive re-direction led to his ‘Creative Director’ credit, a unique title that did not exist before or after Tumbbad’s production.
He added that the contract for this arrangement was not always honored by Tumbbad producer Soham Shah in the press. While Gandhi usually avoids discussing negative experiences, he felt it was important to clarify that he took over the direction completely, despite starting as a writer and producer on the project.
- Anand Gandhi stated he directed the film Tumbbad, not Rahi Anil Barve, and reshot it entirely.
- His ‘Creative Director’ credit was a unique title created to respect initial agreements.
- Ship of Theseus continues to resonate due to its exploration of timeless philosophical questions.
- Gandhi believes many modern platforms underestimate the intellectual appetite of Indian audiences.
This candid revelation sheds new light on the making of one of India’s most celebrated horror-fantasy films and highlights Gandhi’s deep commitment to meaningful cinema.
