Nikkhil Advani Says Indian Viewers Don’t Trust Filmmakers Anymore: ‘Reviews Are Paid, Everything Is Bought’
Nikkhil Advani voices concern over the trust deficit between Indian filmmakers and the audience. “Reviews are paid, everything is bought,” says the filmmaker while promoting ‘Stolen’.
In an era where independent films often fight for attention, seasoned filmmaker Nikkhil Advani has stepped in to amplify the voice of debutant director Karan Tejpal. Alongside fellow stalwarts Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Kiran Rao, Advani has come on board as executive producer of the film ‘Stolen’, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
While the involvement of such heavyweights may bring visibility, Advani admits the ideal scenario would be one where indie films don’t need big names to get noticed. “A big point to celebrate will be that a film like Stolen doesn't need us,” he said in an interaction with Hindustan Times. “We are just putting our muscle or credibility behind this film.”
On disconnect between audiences and filmmakers
At the heart of his support is a deep concern over the disconnect between audiences and filmmakers. Nikkhil observed, “I think there is a complete distrust right now between the audience and the filmmaker. Basically, the audience is saying, 'Whatever you say, we don't trust you. Reviews are paid, and everything is bought.' We are just trying to say, 'Trust us!'”
He adds that today's viewers are far more informed, making them harder to impress. “Audiences today, thanks to social media, have got so much information. They've got everything on their fingertips,” he noted.
Blurring the Lines Between Indie and Mainstream
Nikkhil also reflected on the long-standing divide between independent and commercial cinema, a line that continues to shift over the decades. From “parallel cinema” to “festival films,” the terminology may have changed, but the struggle remains.
He candidly shared, “The choices are becoming smaller. The demand to conform to the formula is getting much higher. When you want to disrupt and do something off the beaten track, you really have to do something that is marketable, whether that is the cast, the director, or the producer. But I am very hopeful that it will turn. It has to. A good quality film will find its audience."
The filmmaker also sheds light on how audience behaviour has evolved post-COVID. While cinema revenues may have taken a hit, people are still willing to pay for entertainment, just not always at the movies. “The same audience is spending money in comedy clubs and live shows,” he said. “Vir Das told me earlier he used to do India tour in 6 cities. Now, he does 60 cities.”
For Nikkhil, the way forward is clear: filmmakers must engage with and listen to their viewers. ‘Stolen’, led by Abhishek Banerjee, is his way of doing just that, delivering quality storytelling and building back the trust that cinema deserves.
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