‘Theft’ possibility: Deepanjana Paul article on Karan Tejpal’s ‘theft’

Director Karan Tejpal worked as an assistant director for the film ‘Delhi -6’ (2009) before making the film ‘Chori’ (2023). In addition, Rajkumar Hirani has been a member of the direction team for three projects like ‘Lege Rao Munna Bhai’ (2006), ‘3 Idiots’ (2009) and ‘Ferrari Ki Savari’ (2012).

Given this, it may seem that Tejpal will go on blockbuster films. But ‘theft’ is not a world of colors in popular cinemas and their artificiality. The film is completely close to this fact. The film has received a story from news reports of violent crimes committed by WhatsApp forward messages. It has the best features for short films. The film, which has been released with a armored script and a low budget, is filled with many insights and talents.

This is the story of the film

When it comes to cinema, Gautam (Abhishek Banerjee) and Raman (Shubam), Bansal Brothers, are involved in an infant case. Jhampa (Mia Malzar) alleges that a poor woman has stolen her child. Doubt on Raman is quickly removed. However, the police have considered the matter and decided to help Raman Jhampa. It is not like Gautam.

Gautam, who believes that he can solve anything with money, shows the angle of rich Indian, and Raman reveals another dimension with his sympathy and courage. There will be Jhumpa between the two. His poverty is a oscillation between the two poles, which is seen as a demon or as a demon.

‘Theft’ is running fast. In the story, the film runs with twists and villagers chasing in rural areas of Rajasthan. The thriller shows special rights, class differences and group mentality.

The film does not want to stand for a moral place. Instead, it focuses on subtlety and complexity. The village, which has become a group of murder, is also like young people (or there are only a few years to join the group they are accustomed to violence). The ambulance driver who saves life also does business. Raman’s sympathy for his heart, pressing strangers, runs parallel to his mother.

Whether option for Venice Film Festival

Although he was selected for the Venice Film Festival in 2023, ‘theft’ was not released in theaters. Recently available on only one streaming platform. It is a matter of concern that the film will be released. In particular, prominent filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, Nikhil Advani and Kiran Rao have supported the film.

Discussion about the health of the film industry always revolves around earning. But, a living entertainment business is not just the amount of blockbusters. Small projects such as ‘theft’ play an important role in building a stable industry. They give great diversity to the audience. These films bring the talent to light that does not fit in the stereotype of commercial cinema.

Take an example of Mia Malzar, which appeared in the role of Jhampa. “I usually don’t get a business audition because of my form,” he said once. She was an alumnus of the National School of Drama, who served as an acting trainer and a teacher. This gave him only the opportunity to do the projects that he liked. Majid Majidi ‘Beyond the Clouds’ (2017) and ‘theft’ will fall into that category.

Medium and low budget films give creative directors freedom to experiment with their art and detect newness. Some films also get awards and significant praise. However, even if there is no such identity, short films enrich the industry. This is because they reduce the same trend appearing in theaters. What else do you need to identify it and act on it?

In an interview recently, actress Seema Pahwa, who became director with a low -bill film Ram Prasad Ki Tehravi (2019), said it was impossible to collect money for another film. This is because manufacturers are not interested in non -traditional stories. “If you make good -low -budget movies, at least two out of five will be successful. But the producers only want the old formula to reject people,” he said.

Such statements are more disappointing than the stories of most non-mainDhara films. Because, no matter how deep the theft is, it can create hope.

(Write to @Dpanjana on Instagram to contact Deepanjana Paul)