Prime Video’s ‘Stolen’ has garnered international acclaim for its gripping narrative and outstanding performances. The film’s journey, from film festivals to a global release on Prime Video, is finally yielding the recognition it deserves. The lead actor Abhishek Banerjee, director Karan Tejpal, and producer Gaurav Dhingra shared their experiences, including the film’s production, release delays, and the support received from the industry.
Abhishek Banerjee, known for his intense roles, approaches his character in ‘Stolen’ differently. He focuses on delivering the script’s essence, a departure from commercially designed films where audience reactions are more predictable. He emphasized that in a film like ‘Stolen’, maintaining the audience’s undivided attention throughout the 90 minutes is key. This demand for real-time performance underscores the film’s intensity.
Director Karan Tejpal highlighted the collaborative nature of the intense shots and chase sequences. He mentioned that coordination and rehearsals were crucial. Despite the challenges, the team embraced them, finding the process enjoyable. Gaurav and the actors’ support and the crew’s quick adaptation were instrumental. Karan considered the challenges as ‘fun’ and likened the filming process to a game.
Karan also discussed the filming of the intense scenes involving mobs, which were meticulously planned and rehearsed. He praised Abhishek for rehearsing with the non-actor crowd until they mastered the scene. The scene was successfully shot in only three takes, demonstrating a collaborative effort.
The film faced challenges in its Indian release despite its critical acclaim at various film festivals. The team, however, received backing from the film industry, leading to its eventual release on Prime Video.
Producer Gaurav Dhingra recalled the frustration of the release process, knowing the film’s quality but struggling to find the right distribution path. He expressed his gratitude to his partners, Abhishek and Karan, for their unwavering support. He also celebrated the global success of ‘Stolen’, noting its worldwide trending status. He highlighted that the film’s success was due to the collective effort of the entire team.
Abhishek discussed the support they received from the industry, often perceived negatively. He mentioned that the film received smooth backing, with industry figures like Nikkhil Advani, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Kiran Rao supporting the project, along with Amazon Prime Video.
Gaurav added that the film is an example of democratization in the entertainment industry. He stated that the film’s success reflects a new direction for Indian cinema.
Abhishek and Gaurav concluded that the support of these industry figures and Amazon Prime Video made this film a success. The team believes ‘Stolen’ is the start of a new era in filmmaking, with its unique approach to action thrillers, potentially paving the way for future projects.