Like minded people always find their tribe... saying this as an indie filmmaker who moved here six years ago.
If you have a phone & talent, you can make a movie.
STFU about lack of opportunities. Make your own.
Mumbai is rich in talent. If you are good, that talent will shine. https://twitter.com/ieentertainment/status/1309866821428768768

Most cribbers want only to work with the big banners making banners bigger than they are.
Everyone’s journey is the same - finding money (the more, the higher the risk of heart attack) or talent you can trust (finding artists with integrity).
YouTube is your showcase. Use it.

The origin of most businesses in India stems from Joint Hindu family model. Private enterprise.
Traditional studios have come a long way despite NOT having organised safe structures for financing... yet.
The showcase has changed with YouTube/OTT.
Adapt. Evolve. Grow. Make art.

Else you are just trying to manipulate public opinion as a champion of your greed... for more money, big banners & bigger names.
If you are in the arts for money, you are in the wrong business.
Kill the need for validation, liberate yourself as an artist.
Be you, be original

Wish I didn’t have to feel sorry for people I grew up admiring, now reduced to cribbing on TV, channelling their own frustrations, to settle scores as a tragedy is being politicised.
As I see them hurt, I feel bad. My heart goes out to the wasted potential of time & talent.

When X came out, we nearly went to court with our co producers, had a public ugly exchange I now regret because in most cases, conflict escalates when there’s a complete breakdown of communication.
I was angry with @ManMundra for the decisions of his CEO who breached our trust.

The funny thing is by then, I had technically moved on (and shot a musical with a phone on a train) but I hadn’t let go of the bitterness.
Depression was weighing me down & I realised I had to let it go for my own sanity.

It took me months to realise that it was my choice to harbour a lifelong grudge or let go and just be thankful for the kindness he had exhibited in the past and to other filmmakers too.

When I was sending emails to friends to crowdfund an indie last Dec, mailed @ManMundra too. I had let go of the past but he had every reason to hate me with the breakdown in communication.
Manish replied immediately saying he would contribute. He sent the money in four days.

He wasn’t obligated to. Not after we had taken him to press. We don’t agree on politics - still don’t.
But it needs to be a matter of record that when it mattered, my old friend came through. A rightwinger contributed to an anti establishment liberal film - My moment of truth.

We need to figure how to communicate better.
Cancel culture today is playing to the advantage of fascist politicians whose only agenda is to further the Othering & the many divides & inequalities in our complex country trapped between its past & present with no future in sight.

We need to go back to civil society - where we can talk to each other on how we can get out of this mess the economy is in.
As artists, we have to tell stories that can heal the world. And there’s nothing stopping us from that today.

We need to use the power of stories to be the change we wish to see in the world.
We need to bring back and celebrate love. We need anger management. We need to celebrate hope.
We need to celebrate our diverse cinema & culture. With laughs. Not hate. End of thread. Long due.