February 18, 2025: Acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane recently opened up about the difficulties filmmakers face when creating historical films in India, particularly in an environment where controversy and self-censorship often play a major role. Motwane shared his perspective on how these factors affect the creative process.
Motwane’s comments come after the controversy surrounding the period drama Chhaava, which had to remove a dance sequence featuring Vicky Kaushal’s character, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, performing a lezim dance after political objections. This sparked a wider conversation about the delicate balance filmmakers must maintain between artistic expression and cultural sensitivities in the country.
Reflecting on the subject, Motwane acknowledged the complexities filmmakers face today. “Of course, it is challenging. Because then you have to think of self-censorship before you do it because you don’t know who you’re going to offend at some point in time. So, from a purely creative perspective, yes, it does affect the process of creativity,” he said.
While Motwane highlighted the restrictive nature of this self-censorship, he also shared his desire to re-release his 2018 superhero drama Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. The film, which starred Harshvardhan Kapoor, was centered on corruption and social justice, and Motwane feels that its themes resonate even more today. “The superhero film targeting corruption and that sort of stuff,” he explained. The idea of re-releasing the film excites him, as he believes that its relevance has only grown stronger over the years.
Motwane’s diverse filmography includes the critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama Udaan and the experimental CTRL, which explored artificial intelligence and social media. For Motwane, his creative process is driven by excitement and a willingness to take risks. He shared, “If I am excited about something, then I can spend months or years on that project. It is essential that if I am giving my time and putting my energy into any story, it should excite me as a filmmaker or as a creator.”
The filmmaker also touched on his perspective regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative industries. While he sees AI as a valuable tool for making life easier and assisting industries like medicine, he expressed concerns about its misuse. “My problem with AI is when AI is going to be used, and the problem is that that decision is not going to be left up to the creative people alone,” Motwane explained. He further voiced concerns about AI being used to spread misinformation or displace jobs, especially when decisions about its use are made solely by corporations looking to profit.
One of the most anticipated moments for Motwane fans comes with the 15th anniversary of his debut film Udaan, which will be screened at the upcoming Red Lorry Film Festival. “It’s the first film, first child, first baby,” he reflected on Udaan. “The fact that it’s still got an interest level going 15 years after release, I think, is a great thing.” He expressed excitement at the idea of sharing Udaan once again with new audiences or those who have continued to love it over the years.
The Red Lorry Film Festival, India’s premier international film festival curated by BookMyShow, is set to return for its second edition from March 21 to 23, 2025, in Mumbai. The festival will also expand to Hyderabad for the first time under the name Red Lorry Film Festival: Parallel Verse. It’s expected to be a grand celebration of international cinema and Motwane’s timeless debut film will undoubtedly hold a special place in this milestone event.