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Chandan Roy Sanyal: Nothing wrong to add an item song to make any film more sellable

Having been a part of the film business for more than a decade now, actor Chandan Roy Sanyal knows what works for a film, and what doesn’t

Published on: Feb 22, 2022, 22:45:30 IST
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Having been a part of the film business for more than a decade now, actor Chandan Roy Sanyal knows what works for a film, and what doesn’t. And he admits that adding some masala elements to create buzz is just a part of the process.

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal was seen recently in the web film Sanak.
Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal was seen recently in the web film Sanak.

Ask the 42-year-old, who has turned director for a feature film, if he would entertain if the exhibitors or distributors make such demands, he replies, “I don’t think that will happen with this one, there’s no scope for adding such kind of things. The story is such… when the exhibitors see the film, they will realise it’s a comedy and it’s totally working the way it is. It should be fine.”

Talking about films in general, however, he says he has seen such last minute additions happen to make the film “more sellable”.

He elaborates, “Those films probably have massive stars, get an opening, or have item songs. Aisa kaafi filmon mein hua hai. The makers add some music, or item songs, something which will bring attention. The music becomes hot, and it works for the film.”

However, Sanyal, who also co-produces his feature film directorial debut, doesn’t feel there is anything wrong in it. Explaining his point, he says, “If you can add something, and bring the audience to the theatres, it is okay. Also, filmmaking is a very expensive business. As the producer and exhibitor you put in your money. In the pandemic, cinemas also shut down, they lost their money. It is a very tricky situation, there’s no insurance ki pure paise vaapis aayenge ya profit hoga. Uss hisaab se if a distributor thinks ki kuchh add karne se nuksaan nahi hoga, it is okay. It is not good to lose money.”

  • Rishabh Suri
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Rishabh Suri

    Rishabh Suri is an Assistant Editor, film critic, and professional overthinker of plot points. He writes for HT City, keeping pace with an industry where news cycles expire long before the popcorn gets cold. He completed his graduation in English Honours from Kirori Mal College, followed by a Master’s degree in English Literature-effectively training his brain to over-analyse classic texts before applying those exact same skills to 3-hour Bollywood blockbusters. He got into the profession when he had barely graduated from college and has been at HT ever since. At HT, Rishabh reviews films with a simple rule: skip the dense academic jargon and get straight to the point. Beyond reviews, as Assistant Editor, he helps navigate the broader circus of showbiz, tracking everything from OTT shifts to sudden box office panics. In a beat driven by loud PR machinery and carefully scripted answers, Rishabh prefers cutting through the noise to focus on how stories get made and why trends shift. When he isn’t writing against a deadline, he is usually sitting in a dark theater, compulsively memorising dialogues. For Rishabh, analysing movies isn't just a day job- it’s a habit he couldn't turn off even if he tried.Read More