A new breed of young filmmakers is set to take the Bollywood plunge more than ever before. While these directors have set their sights on achieving the big-budget, record-breaking projects with their stories, producers, too, are showing a willingness to place their bets on potential talent.
22-year-old Piran Tarapore is one such young filmmaker commended for his work through films Dream Girl, Gormint, Gully Boy, and Mission Mangal. He will also be working as an Assistant Director on Dostana 2. The filmmaker, who also happens to be a digital entrepreneur, is currently directing a stand-alone show on the biggest video streaming platform – Netflix! Shooting is expected to commence in the first half of the coming year. In a conversation with Insider Monkey, Piran shared how video streaming platforms have lent a fresh life to Bollywood amidst the pandemic:
Piran Tarapore
IM: Hello Piran, how do you plan to launch your show?
Piran: We are aiming to create and release the show on Netflix. A lot of effort is going to go into shooting, editing, and promoting the artists’ works, given the present trends and industry criticalities. The talks are on with the lead actors, and a basic version has shaped up. Meanwhile, other modalities are being worked upon.
IM: Why did you choose an on-demand video-streaming platform like Netflix for this show?
Piran: Netflix, as an on-demand video-streaming service, has the largest streaming hours. With the Coronavirus pandemic taking an uncertain toll over television production, there has been a magnanimous rise in the popularity and viewership of over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Both Amazon Prime Video and Netflix have registered over a 60% increase in their subscriptions during the lockdown. OTT is the future of entertainment, so why not explore it at a time when it has picked momentum like never before.
IM: Tell us about your next, Dostana 2.
Piran: I’m working as an assistant director on the sequel of one of Bollywood’s highest-grossing film, Dostana. Having worked on the previous version of this film and witnessed success, Dostana 2 feels like a homecoming and, at the same time, evokes a sense of pressure to keep up with the audience’s expectations.
IM: Do we see you venturing into Hollywood in the near future?
Piran: Why not! I am exploring my potential as not just a filmmaker but a producer and an actor too. I want people to recognize me as a versatile artist – not director, nor filmmaker, actor, or producer alone.
IM: Out of the projects you’ve done so far, which is closest to your heart?
Piran: It’s difficult to pick, but “Gully Boy” remains my top pick because it’s realistic, humorous, emotional, and a mix of all things unique that touch the extremes of human lives.
