First time's the charm

India’s independent films are doing better than ever, telling new stories from India, winning new fans abroad. See how four debut filmmakers charted their own paths to global success

- Dipanjan Sinha

Plot twist: India's indie film circuit has been doing cool things long before this year's Oscar outing.

Young filmmakers have been taking more chances than before, reaching across borders to collaborate, taking advantage of workshops abroad to hone their craft, falling gleefully down rabbit holes to tell unusual stories.

This is fantastic news for viewers. Funding from an international organisation means that a film that would have never been made, now has a fighting chance. An international premiere can boost viewership. So, in cinemas, multiplexes and on streaming networks, a new side of India is being presented to the world, perhaps for the first time.

Is the industry truly blossoming or are the films merely repackaging old stereotypes in a new format? Most filmmakers acknowledge that, for global audiences, it makes sense to weave in explanatory narration, establishing shots, and familiar detail.

Ultimately, though, it's the story itself that determine its success. A film can be set in India, funded from the UK, produced by a crew from India, Norway and France and premiere in Hong Kong.

None of it will matter if it doesn't connect with those watching.

The new opportunities are no guarantee of success, say filmmakers. What it means is a lot more doors to knock on. See how it's all shaping up.

Faraway success Prasun Chatterjee

ALONG WITH BEING LOCAL, THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF UNIVERSAL CONNECTION WITH THE FILM

Prasun Chatterjee's debut feature film Dostojee (Bengali, 2021) tells the tale of two young boys whose friendship takes on a changed dynamic in the wake of the destruction of the Babri Masjid. It won Best Film at the UK Asian Film Festival and Best Film at the Sharjah International Film Festival. It's had releases in the US, UAE and Australia.