Vishal Bhardwaj, this name needs no introduction to the fans of Bollywood films. He is a very big name but suffered at the hands of Prime Video which became a coward instead of careful after Tandav.
The acclaimed director celebrated for his films with strong messages and real-life events, recently disclosed the unfortunate fate of his ambitious project on the 1999 IC 814 hijacking. After investing nearly a decade in meticulous research, Bhardwaj’s collaboration with Prime Video took an unexpected turn.
In a candid interview, the director revealed that Prime Video, shaken by the controversy surrounding their series “Tandav,” decided to abandon the IC 814 hijack project. The platform, facing criticism for alleged political undertones in “Tandav,” opted to steer clear of any content perceived as political.
Bhardwaj, visibly disappointed, clarified that his project aimed to depict a national humiliation transcending political affiliations. Despite reassurances, Prime Video, still reeling from the aftermath of “Tandav,” chose to avoid potential political sensitivities.
This incident is not isolated for Bhardwaj. His earlier project based on the screen adaptation of Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark’s book, “The Exile: The Flight of Osama Bin Laden,” met a similar fate due to lack of interest. The filmmaker’s experiences highlight a concerning trend where platforms, wary of controversies, might shy away from thought-provoking and relevant narratives.
Prime Video indeed faced a lot of issues after the release of Tandav but it shouldn’t mean that they stop taking any risks. Safe cinema is only safe, it can never be splendid.
We hope Prime Video realizes that.
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