Sudhanshu Sharma: Theatrical release is a bigger challenge now!

Filmmaker Sudhanshu Sharma believes that the biggest challenge for filmmakers today is to release their films in theaters and find the right audience. He emphasizes the importance of theatrical releases for films like his upcoming project "Love All," which is based on sports and features 200 badminton players. Sharma also mentions that he has a web series and another film in the works, and is open to shooting in Uttar Pradesh.

Writer-director Sudhanshu Sharma asserts that for a filmmaker the bigger challenge today is to release a film in theatre and find the right audience.

Writer-director Sudhanshu Sharma on his visit to Varanasi

Sharma’s first venture Kaalichaat, a 70-minute film, did rounds at many film festivals in India as well as abroad and won awards. “That film was not made for theatrical release following that I started working on my feature film which I conceptulised way back in 2012 and have co-written the screenplay and dialogues (with Sonal Sharma) besides directing the film,” he says on his visit to Varanasi and Prayagraj.

It took him nearly six years to formally release the film. “We started pre-production in 2018 and the shooting started in 2019 but by then we were pandemic struck. We were always sure that we would not release on OTT first as it was meant for cinematic experience, but the challenge is to find those conservative 500-600 screens amidst the blockbuster and international releases. Mushkil hai par karna to hai hi! Getting a theatrical release is a bigger challenge now!” says the filmmaker who hails from Indore and has an advertising background.

Sharma emphasises on theatrical release over OTT. “Our film Love All is based on sports, and we have 200 badminton players in it with some international-level players as well. So, I think such films deserve big screen viewing and then if by God’s grace if it’s well received then OTT and satellite prospects also get better. As filmmaker I feel audience should surely watch big films but then they should also watch smaller films with good content.”