Kabir Khan on content films: This cliche we keep hearing about films that "content is king", I think on OTT platforms that's actually true [Exclusive]

Recently, BollywoodLife sat down for an exclusive interview with Kabir Khan to get to know more about his upcoming web series, The Forgotten Army, based on Indian and British POWs behind enemy Japanese lines during World War II

By Russel D'Silva
Published: January 13, 2020 4:40 PM IST

Director Kabir Khan, who's widely and rightly regarded as one of the best modern Directors of Bollywood courtesy great films like New York, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Phantom along with all-out mass entertainers like Ek Tha Tiger, is about to venture into the digital space with his first web series, The Forgotten Army, which, no prizes for guessing, is looking brilliant from the teaser and trailer. Recently, BollywoodLife sat down for an exclusive interview with Kabir Khan to get to know more about the show, based on Indian and British POWs behind enemy Japanese lines during World War II, and how many Indians among them eventually formed their own army, which eventually became the Azad-Hind-Fauj that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ultimately took over a year later. Also Read - Budget 2023: Director Kabir Khan suggests how the business of filmmaking can get frugal

During the course of our conversation, the topic veered toward the new trend of "content films" working big time with audience, though Kabir differed on the subject, opining that if content was really king in cinema, such films wouldn't need a popular face for them to work, pointing out how most content films have had some or another popular mainstream actor or actress, which has brought the audience to theatres, adding that it's the web space where content is the real king as regardless who is cast, the show or film works on the strength of its "content" alone. Also Read - Shehzada actor Kartik Aaryan undergoes massive physical transformation for Kabir Khan's film; to be trained by THIS star kids' brother

Also watch

Also Read

Kabir Khan calls those supporting the JNU attacks as anti-nationals

Also Read - Kartik Aaryan birthday bash: Ananya Panday-Disha Patani steal the show in risque white dresses; Ayushmann Khurrana and more mark attendance [VIEW PICS]

"Getting a bigger star for a project like The Forgotten Army wouldn't have made any difference because whom do you want to sell it to? We've seen it that the audience today approaches series on OTT platforms not with the same glasses with which they see cinema. They are applauding the stories, they're watching the stories and they do not care whom the star is. The star is the story, which is the same case with The Forgotten Army. That is what we all want to make, that is what is getting us excited and I think it's really good the audience is supporting original stories in such a big way without seeing who the star is. Like you see some of the most successful project on OTT platforms; they didn't have stars. So, I think it's great that you know OTT platforms are willing to back you without stars. This scale, in a film, I'd have to get a star, and it's a strange dichotomy because the audience is the same. It's not like the audience for OTT platforms and films is different. But I think, somehow in films, studious feel safer when there are stars involved."

Adding how OTT platforms are more open to fresh talent and offer greater freedom to filmmakers, Kabir added, "On the other hand, OTT platforms are very reciprocative to newcomers and actors who are not stars. I'm not saying that stars are not important, but the audience is proving that if the story is the star, they're ready to go with the content. In films, I'll always think of a star to headline my work, but in OTT series, the platforms themselves are not thinking that way. So, you feel more empowered to take other actors. Obviously, I'd want a Ranveer Singh for my film. In fact, I'd want Ranveer in my series because he's a great performer and the energy he brings is fantastic unbelievable. We're not talking about per se, but a star on an OTT platform, maybe not. On an OTT platform, maybe you can look for new faces and that's great, it's great fun, it's great for filmmakers."

Busting the myth of content films working , Kabir concluded, "It's empowering for everybody because suddenly, this cliche we keep hearing about films that "content is king", I think on OTT platforms that's actually true. They keep saying that nowadays in films, and while some really strong content-driven films are being made, the fact of the matter is that, almost all of them have worked with some or another popular face in the project because there's a lot more funding involved. Today, I may be a successful Director, there may be another more successful Director, but if he say, 'I want to make a 150-crore film with a newcomer,' the studio will reply, 'Let's talk later.'"

Also Read

Kabir Khan on why the CAA and government's dinner invitation for Bollywood celebs are irrelevant

Well, that's what we've always loved about Kabir Khan — he tells it how it is, he's always candid, but he does it sans ever forsaking his intrinsic polite demeanour.

Stay tuned to BollywoodLife for the latest scoops and updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, South, TV and Web-Series.
Click to join us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Also follow us on Facebook Messenger for latest updates.

ByRussel D'Silva
Published: January 13, 2020 4:40 PM IST

Kabir Khan