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At the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, acclaimed filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia debuted The Promise, a 10-minute short film produced under the Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films banner.
Renowned director Tigmanshu Dhulia debuts The Promise at MAMI 2024, a 10-minute short that explores unique storytelling in a compact format.
Tigmanshu Dhulia’s short film The Promise has emerged as one of the most talked-about works at this year’s MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Known for his unique storytelling style and nuanced direction, Dhulia ventured into new territory with this 10-minute short film, produced under the Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films banner. Here, he shares his experiences with the project, his thoughts on the state of Bollywood, and the challenges and inspirations he finds in today’s evolving cinematic landscape.
At the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, acclaimed director Tigmanshu Dhulia captivated audiences with his latest short film, The Promise, produced under the Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films banner. Known for his masterful storytelling and ability to delve into complex themes, Dhulia embraced the unique creative freedom of the short film format. In an insightful interview, he discusses his approach to The Promise, exploring the opportunities and challenges of crafting a powerful narrative within a compact runtime. Dhulia also shares his thoughts on Bollywood’s evolving landscape, the practicality of biopics, and the unpredictable nature of box office success. His reflections provide a rare glimpse into the mind of a director who continuously pushes the boundaries of Indian cinema, whether through experimental short films or upcoming feature-length projects like Ghamsaan.
Dhulia reflects on his decision to direct The Promise, revealing that the brief runtime allowed him to experiment in ways that a full-length feature might not. “I don’t know what impact it will have because I have yet to see it with the audience,” he admitted. “But why I said yes to the film as this is my first 10-minute short film which I’ve never done before. And I wanted to do a lot of experiments visually, which a feature film would not have allowed me to do, so I said yes to doing a film with Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films.” For Dhulia, The Promise became a canvas for visual creativity, presenting him with the freedom to test new techniques within the compact framework of a short film.
With seasoned actors like Jim Sarbh and Priyamani bringing depth to The Promise, Dhulia shared his approach to guiding them within the limited constraints of a short format. “The kind of brief one gives to the actors is limited to the text. All of us approached it together. Be it a feature film or a short film, it takes the same amount of time to brief them. They’re intelligent and experienced actors, and they understand.” This collaborative approach allowed Sarbh and Priyamani to truly embody their roles, helping them convey the story’s essence effectively within the short runtime.
Shifting focus to his upcoming feature film Ghamsaan, set to release in early 2025 after positive reactions at MAMI, Dhulia expressed his anticipation for its theatrical run. Reflecting on one particular memory from the shoot, he recalled, “I remember that we were shooting a part of a jungle which was very close to the highway, and we all saw a suicide point, and there were cops with us for our protection, and we were all kind of aghast to see the situation.” Starring Arshad Warsi, Pratik Gandhi, and Ishita Dutta, Ghamsaan promises to captivate audiences with its storyline and Dhulia’s distinct touch.
The conversation turned to Dhulia’s views on the increasing popularity of biopics in Bollywood, where he offered a unique perspective. “I did not say that biopics are popular. Biopics have become easy. First of all, you have source material already there. You do a little bit of research, and you have a story. Secondly, it’s good for marketing. Whenever someone asks, ‘what is the film about?’, to sell a biopic is easy to a producer.” This pragmatic take sheds light on the mechanics of Bollywood, where biopics provide a reliable framework for storytelling and appeal, especially in a market that can be challenging for original narratives.
In an industry where audience tastes are increasingly difficult to predict, Dhulia shared his views on releasing films amidst uncertainty. While acknowledging the challenge, he remains optimistic about the potential for unique storytelling. “I don’t feel it’s about the content, but what can I say about audiences coming back to the theatres,” he said, hinting at the unpredictable nature of box office success despite strong storytelling.
