By
An Independent Film Producer

The spat between the creative team of Masaan and the producers, the Manish Mundra company Drishyam Films, throws up interesting drama.
Now that the dust seems to have settled down, it may be time for introspection for all concerned.

Stating the obvious — on one hand it is true that the creators (read director Neeraj Ghaywan, writer Varun Grover) should decide on the final product. Where ever, it may land. On the other hand, Drishyam (Manish Mundra, CEO Shiladitya Bora) have a right to expect a return on their investment.

I am sure this is clear to the parties concerned. However, issues arise as both sides feel that they have done a favour to the other.

This is essentially true for independently made films. It’s a struggle all the way for all parties concerned, and responsibilities just overlap. It is a thankless job at best, especially for the producer. I would know.

A little communication would have helped. However, from what I gather, both teams have been unimpressed with the efforts of the other. And unfortunately, no one appears wiser even now.

Neeraj has finally made his film. It was in the works for long. Drishyam made it happen.
And Drishyam is a studio today, because a film like Masaan was made by them.

Both have honestly benefited immensely from it. It has done rounds of prestigious film festivals, brought everyone involved into the international limelight, and is genuinely a well crafted uncompromised effort (at least, to us viewers).
Hopefully they see this someday.

It may be prudent at this juncture to talk about independent films generally. More often than not, an independent venture rarely recovers its money. The filmmaker, if good, moves on, but the producer holds the tab.

Take the key other voice in this debate — Anurag Kashyap. No one made any money on his first few films (Paanch, Black Friday). Anurag moved on. Successfully! Where are the producers?

There are multiple examples — Imtiaz Ali made Socha Naa Tha, his first feature-length film. Kind of a flop. The producers, (Sunny Deol etc.) lost money, however, Imtiaz moved onto much deserved success. Similarly, I think Neeraj will be hot property, whether Masaan has made money or not.

There is a reason the independent space is so challenging. It would be best if all parties understood:
1. Director/writer is the ultimate creative controller of their film. It is their film.
2. Producer has a very important role to play. The film cannot be made without a good producer.
3. Producer has to support the filmmaker all the way. Producer & director discussions/ disagreements/ negotiations are healthy. Will lead to a better product. All parties need to trust that. Ego should not be the deal breaker.
4. Finally a film has to be made and audiences have to view it. None of the participants are bigger than the film.
5. Both are specialised roles. Overlap is bad.
6. And none of these roles can be part time.

Happier Times, Cannes ’15

Very often we see part time producers, or creative producers. An extremely bad idea. Case in point is Anurag Kashyap, again. Kind of difficult to make out which hat is he wearing in this debate. As a producer, I know of at least two of his films (very good films at that — Peddlers & Haramkhor) which haven’t been released.

Most people only see the other side once they cross over. Anurag sees red when he sees Massan getting censored. However, he is mum on his own films being unreleased.

Shiladitya Bora was a breath of fresh air for the independent film space when he championed Director’s Rare. He got many films, which otherwise wouldn’t have seen the light of day, released at least. He set this culture into motion. Unless we know what’s out there, we won’t know what to accept, reject, love or hate. At least he put it out there.

Suddenly now, he represents a studio and sees things differently.

Ultimately, whichever side of the table you are sitting on, you have to realise that you are not doing anyone a favour. That you made a great movie inexpensively — that’s what everyone expects. And that you put in the money to make it — that’s what everyone expects of you. That is your core role as a producer.

Drishyam should have kept Neeraj in confidence when self-censoring the film. A thorough discussion with Neeraj could have solved all issues.

Finally, we come to a player no one seems to be discussing — HotStar!!
Don’t they have a responsibility to be true to the creator’s vision? Why is it only a responsibility of the producer/director to take a stand? Don’t they believe in the content they put up? They bend the rules, but when it comes to standing up for the creators, they are a stickler for government guidelines. Its all hogwash when they say that they have different audiences on their platform.

They just don’t have a spine, and that, sadly, seems to be the only truth in the ongoing tale of the Indian media & entertainment industry.