Director Suresh Triveni has urged Hindi film producers and studios to trust their instincts again, rather than solely relying on data. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Triveni discussed the industry's post-pandemic challenges, the struggles of mid-budget films, and why risky choices like 'Saiyaara' can still succeed.
Triveni on Gut Feelings vs. Data
Triveni, who recently released 'Subedaar' with Anil Kapoor on Prime Video and is now following it with 'Maa Behen' starring Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri on Netflix, said the industry has become overly cautious in trying to understand what audiences want. "Decisions on gut feelings need to come back into the field. I think we are a gut-led industry. I feel we have become very data-centric and calculative," he stated.
He admitted to falling into the same pattern. "And, I include myself in this. I think even while approaching a subject, we think a lot about whether it will work or not. We need more individual producers. And the existing studios should take punches which are gut-based and not just example-based."
Triveni cited Mohit Suri's 'Saiyaara' as an example of a successful gut-driven project. The 2025 film, led by two newcomers, was made on a budget of less than INR 50 crore and earned close to INR 350 crore. "No one gave it ('Saiyaara') a chance, and look at the business it did. I feel that needs to happen more," he said.
Call for Tax Holiday and Praise for Malayalam Cinema
Triveni also called on the government to support the film industry, noting that moviegoing has become expensive. He suggested an extended tax holiday, even for six months, to bring people back to theaters. "I could make 'Tumhari Sulu' because studios could afford to take risks," he said. He added, "For a film, you are risking Rs 2,000 and then you are feeling bad. That is one of the worst decisions for anyone, given that more entertainment options are available."
Triveni, who grew up in Ranchi and comes from a South Indian family, also praised Malayalam cinema. "I know people watched a lot of Malayalam movies post-COVID but I grew up watching them," he said. He called Sreenivasan, Sibi Malayil, and Priyadarshan "terrific filmmakers."
He said Malayalam filmmakers understand 'glocal' storytelling and revealed he once planned to remake Fahadh Faasil's 'Thondimuthalum Drisakshiyum' but "did not have the guts to go in that direction." He also praised 'Eko', 'The Patriot', Mammootty in 'Bramayugam,' and Mohanlal.
Triveni's remarks highlight a growing sentiment among some filmmakers that the industry's over-reliance on data and analytics may be stifling creativity. He believes that a return to instinct-based decision-making could lead to more diverse and successful films.
