‘Stolen,’ the Prime Video sensation, has captured global attention, praised for its captivating narrative and outstanding performances. This in-depth interview features the lead actor Abhishek Banerjee, director Karan Tejpal, and producer Gaurav Dhingra, who discuss their experiences creating ‘Stolen,’ facing release challenges, and the significant support from the film industry.
Abhishek Banerjee highlighted that his approach to his role in ‘Stolen’ differed from his other projects. He focused solely on delivering the script’s intended elements. This was a departure from typical commercial films where audience reactions are carefully managed. He found that in ‘Stolen’, the audience’s attention was crucial for the 90 minutes.
Karan Tejpal emphasized the necessity of coordination and rehearsal in the intense shots and chase sequences. He stated that collaboration was the most important aspect of the film. The support from Gaurav, the actors, and the crew was significant. He considered the challenges as enjoyable.
Karan also described the complex planning and rehearsals required for the scenes with mobs. Abhishek’s dedication in rehearsing with the non-actor crowd repeatedly was also recognized. These scenes were shot in a short amount of time.
Despite its positive reception at various film festivals, the film’s Indian release presented difficulties. The film industry’s support helped the project to eventually get its OTT release on Prime Video.
Producer Gaurav Dhingra spoke about the frustration of getting ‘Stolen’ released, knowing the film’s merit but struggling to find the right distribution channels. He expressed gratitude to his partners, Abhishek and Karan. He also shared his excitement over the international acclaim ‘Stolen’ had achieved.
Abhishek noted that the industry, despite its negative aspects, backed the film. He highlighted the support of influential figures like Nikkhil Advani, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Kiran Rao, along with the backing of Amazon Prime Video.
Gaurav highlighted the democratizing effect of OTT platforms, showcasing how projects can be made and shared without the backing of traditional studios.
Abhishek and Gaurav agreed that ‘Stolen’ marks the beginning of a new direction in Indian cinema, defined by a unique approach to action thrillers and the support of the film industry.