Anubhav Sinha Advocates for Small-Budget Films: A Path to Profitability

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha recently highlighted the potential for small and mid-budget films to thrive in the current Indian cinema landscape. His latest release, the courtroom drama Assi, has sparked discussions about the viability of such films.

In a recent interview, Sinha expressed a shift in his perspective, noting that he now believes mid-budget films offer the best chance for profitability. He stated, “I’m saying the exact opposite today. The future is this size (of films). Mid-size, medium budget, and high-concept films have the highest chance of a good ROI (return on investment).”

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevailing belief that only big-budget films can attract audiences, Sinha pointed to the success of films like 12th Fail and HanuMan as evidence that mid-budget cinema can resonate with viewers. He acknowledged his admiration for big-budget filmmakers like Rajkumar Hirani and Rohit Shetty but emphasized his commitment to making relatable films.

Before the release of Assi, he stressed the importance of effective marketing and promotional budgets for smaller films. “If these films had twice or thrice as much budget to promote them, our jobs would be much easier,” he explained, underscoring the audience's appetite for compelling narratives.

Assi features a talented cast, including Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti, and has received positive reviews. However, it faced a lukewarm box office start, earning ₹2.6 crore in its first two days. Sinha remains optimistic about the future of small-budget films, advocating for their rightful place in the industry.