Director Abhishek Shah on National Award pressure: Every film has its own fate
Abhishek Shah, National Award-winning director of Hellaro, is all set to release his new film, Dhabkaaro. In an interview with India Today, Shah said he prioritises reaching wider audiences over chasing box office numbers.
Known for his National Award-winning debut film Hellaro, filmmaker Abhishek Shah is now gearing up for the release of Dhabkaaro. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, he spoke about the expectations that come with the honour, his evolving idea of success, and why, for him, a film truly works only when it reaches and resonates with audiences. He also shared insights into the kind of stories he wants to tell and why Deven Bhojani was his first choice for the lead role.
Addressing the pressure that often follows recognition, Abhishek was clear that he doesn’t let it dictate his process.
He said, "I don’t keep that pressure on myself. I think every story and every film has its own fate. If you ask me what I feel bad about, it’s not about numbers. I feel bad when a film doesn’t reach people, when it doesn’t touch people. Then, as a filmmaker, it feels like a big failure to me."
For him, the real challenge today lies in ensuring that audiences actually turn up. "I want my film to reach the audience, and reaching audiences has become difficult in today’s time. I don’t want people sitting at home wondering whether they should watch the film or not. If I don’t get an audience, that is the only pressure I feel. Otherwise, once a film is made, it is made," the filmmaker added.
Abhishek said that his sense of satisfaction comes from the creative process itself. "It has happened with all three of my films—when I was taking the final output, I was very happy. If I am happy, I should be satisfied that I have done my work. With this film too, I feel I have done my work," he added.
Talking about the audience he hopes to connect with, Abhishek emphasised his intent to create films that bring families together.
The filmmaker said, "I feel that if you look at the history of Indian cinema, whenever people stepped out of their homes with their families, many big films were made in that space. I try to make such films."
"If there is a small child at home, and the oldest member of the family is there too, everyone should be able to watch the film together. My audience is everyone who wants to watch the film. Because of the kind of philosophy and values this film has, I feel children and older people should watch it," he added.
According to Abhishek, the film is not designed for a niche. "Anyone who wants to watch a Gujarati film—this film is for all audiences. It is not made for any specific segment. Some films appeal to the rich, some to the poor, some to youngsters. But this film, like my last two films, is made for people and by people, I mean every kind of audience," the filmmaker said.
Abhishek also spoke at length about casting Deven Bhojani, revealing that the decision was made well in advance.
"I had thought about this a year ago. When I finally knew the film would go on floors in three or four months, I felt the character needed someone like him. This is a man who one day learns he has a disease, and then finds out he needs a heart transplant. I wanted a very versatile actor," he added.
The filmmaker emphasised that Bhojani brings an unseen dimension to the role. He said, "Maybe people haven’t seen that side of him yet. He has done a lot in theatre, but in popular culture, people haven’t seen that side of him in cinema or television. So I immediately thought of his name."
While referring to the actor’s range, Abhishek said, "Whatever he has done till now, we have seen it and loved it. But there is one side of him that is visible in the teaser that no one has seen before. I felt he would be uniquely suited to this role. And by unique, I always mean someone who performs greatly. Only then does he look unique. I knew Deven would do it."
Interestingly, Abhishek also acknowledged Bhojani’s strong comic sensibilities, shaped by his work on shows like Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. "The funny thing is, he understands comedy so well. As a director too, he has done comedy brilliantly in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. This character did not have much comedy, but whenever there was a lighter moment, I knew what he was capable of as an actor," he went on.
"He cries beautifully, he laughs beautifully, he is a champion. He has directed films and television and worked as a creative director for many years. Despite his extensive experience, in front of me, he was just an actor. He was very obedient," the filmmaker added.
What stood out for the filmmaker was Bhojani’s humility. Abhishek said, "Sometimes when experienced actors come in, they carry baggage. I never felt that with him. Our communication was never like that. He never tried to show that he was older than me or that he knew more than me. That is a great quality in him. That is why this collaboration worked so well for both of us."
Despite the temptation to tap into Bhojani’s comic timing, Abhishek held back. "There were some scenes where I felt if he did comedy here, it would be fun. But I controlled myself because I was also greedy, I know what he can do. He has added little touches in one or two places, even during dubbing," the filmmaker added.
Dhabkaaro is set for a theatrical release on May 1, 2026, which coincides with Gujarat Foundation Day.
Known for his National Award-winning debut film Hellaro, filmmaker Abhishek Shah is now gearing up for the release of Dhabkaaro. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, he spoke about the expectations that come with the honour, his evolving idea of success, and why, for him, a film truly works only when it reaches and resonates with audiences. He also shared insights into the kind of stories he wants to tell and why Deven Bhojani was his first choice for the lead role.
Addressing the pressure that often follows recognition, Abhishek was clear that he doesn’t let it dictate his process.
He said, "I don’t keep that pressure on myself. I think every story and every film has its own fate. If you ask me what I feel bad about, it’s not about numbers. I feel bad when a film doesn’t reach people, when it doesn’t touch people. Then, as a filmmaker, it feels like a big failure to me."
For him, the real challenge today lies in ensuring that audiences actually turn up. "I want my film to reach the audience, and reaching audiences has become difficult in today’s time. I don’t want people sitting at home wondering whether they should watch the film or not. If I don’t get an audience, that is the only pressure I feel. Otherwise, once a film is made, it is made," the filmmaker added.
Abhishek said that his sense of satisfaction comes from the creative process itself. "It has happened with all three of my films—when I was taking the final output, I was very happy. If I am happy, I should be satisfied that I have done my work. With this film too, I feel I have done my work," he added.
Talking about the audience he hopes to connect with, Abhishek emphasised his intent to create films that bring families together.
The filmmaker said, "I feel that if you look at the history of Indian cinema, whenever people stepped out of their homes with their families, many big films were made in that space. I try to make such films."
"If there is a small child at home, and the oldest member of the family is there too, everyone should be able to watch the film together. My audience is everyone who wants to watch the film. Because of the kind of philosophy and values this film has, I feel children and older people should watch it," he added.
According to Abhishek, the film is not designed for a niche. "Anyone who wants to watch a Gujarati film—this film is for all audiences. It is not made for any specific segment. Some films appeal to the rich, some to the poor, some to youngsters. But this film, like my last two films, is made for people and by people, I mean every kind of audience," the filmmaker said.
Abhishek also spoke at length about casting Deven Bhojani, revealing that the decision was made well in advance.
"I had thought about this a year ago. When I finally knew the film would go on floors in three or four months, I felt the character needed someone like him. This is a man who one day learns he has a disease, and then finds out he needs a heart transplant. I wanted a very versatile actor," he added.
The filmmaker emphasised that Bhojani brings an unseen dimension to the role. He said, "Maybe people haven’t seen that side of him yet. He has done a lot in theatre, but in popular culture, people haven’t seen that side of him in cinema or television. So I immediately thought of his name."
While referring to the actor’s range, Abhishek said, "Whatever he has done till now, we have seen it and loved it. But there is one side of him that is visible in the teaser that no one has seen before. I felt he would be uniquely suited to this role. And by unique, I always mean someone who performs greatly. Only then does he look unique. I knew Deven would do it."
Interestingly, Abhishek also acknowledged Bhojani’s strong comic sensibilities, shaped by his work on shows like Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. "The funny thing is, he understands comedy so well. As a director too, he has done comedy brilliantly in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. This character did not have much comedy, but whenever there was a lighter moment, I knew what he was capable of as an actor," he went on.
"He cries beautifully, he laughs beautifully, he is a champion. He has directed films and television and worked as a creative director for many years. Despite his extensive experience, in front of me, he was just an actor. He was very obedient," the filmmaker added.
What stood out for the filmmaker was Bhojani’s humility. Abhishek said, "Sometimes when experienced actors come in, they carry baggage. I never felt that with him. Our communication was never like that. He never tried to show that he was older than me or that he knew more than me. That is a great quality in him. That is why this collaboration worked so well for both of us."
Despite the temptation to tap into Bhojani’s comic timing, Abhishek held back. "There were some scenes where I felt if he did comedy here, it would be fun. But I controlled myself because I was also greedy, I know what he can do. He has added little touches in one or two places, even during dubbing," the filmmaker added.
Dhabkaaro is set for a theatrical release on May 1, 2026, which coincides with Gujarat Foundation Day.
