Renowned director Shekhar Kapur, famous for hit movies like Mr. India and Bandit Queen, has shared insights on his choice to abandon a thriving career in Indian cinema for a shot at Hollywood stardom. In an open conversation, he discussed the gamble he took during this transition, aiming for creative opportunities in Tinseltown. He also mentioned that at times, financial struggles were part of the journey.
On a Tuesday, a user from X requested Shekhar Kapur to share some directorial expertise with other Indian directors, whom he believed were overly reliant on stars and musical sequences.
See tweet here:
To that, Kapur responded, “Years ago, following Bandit Queen’s triumph at the Cannes Film Festival, I found myself at a crossroads. I could have continued in India. However, after Masoom, Mr. India, and Bandit Queen, I felt the urge to conquer a greater peak. I desired another opportunity to confront failure.
See tweet here:
In the past, following the unprecedented success of “Bandit Queen” at the Cannes Film Festival, I found myself at a crossroads. I could have continued my journey in India. However, after having created films like “Masoom,” “Mr India,” and “Bandit Queen,” I felt compelled to conquer new heights. I yearned for another opportunity to face failure once more.
He left behind his old life, moved to Hollywood, and had to start fresh. He ran out of funds, slept on friends’ couches, and had to work tirelessly once more. He concluded by saying this.
Kapur further commented, “Three years later, I created Elizabeth and was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture. This was when only five films were nominated, not ten. The takeaway? Be prepared to gamble everything in life if you’re seeking new vistas. This is the mindset that Indian directors should adopt – be ready to take big risks for creative opportunities.
Recently, Shekhar Kapur drew attention when he spoke out against an online streaming service for modifying his highly praised 1994 movie “Bandit Queen” without his consent.
According to reports, the filmmaker voiced his discontent on social platforms, claiming that the Bandit Queen movie on Amazon Prime has undergone significant edits, leaving it barely recognizable compared to its original form.
He noted that although there were modifications, his name remained as the director in the credits, and he hadn’t been asked for input on the edits. Furthermore, Kapur raised a concern about whether filmmakers from India receive fewer acknowledgments than their counterparts from the West.
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2025-04-16 13:09