03 March,2021 07:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu
A still from the film
It was widely known in the industry circles that Mumbai Saga was nearly sold to Amazon Prime Video for a lucrative deal. But now, the John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi-led gangster drama is primed for a theatrical release. Ask director Sanjay Gupta what led to a change of heart, and he attributes the decision to his leading men. "John wanted a theatrical run since December. Emraan backed him. They gave us the faith to take the risk of a big-screen release," he says.
Gupta, known for his massy entertainers, admits that Mumbai Saga has been designed for a community-viewing experience. "[When supervising] the sound design, I would imagine how it will sound in screen number 2 of Juhu PVR. My characters are mouthing one-liners that can't be enjoyed on a smaller screen. If we were losing money, an OTT release would be preferred. But with theatres, we're safe - we're not making money, but we won't lose either. Someone [in the industry] has to take the leap, so we are doing it. This film is a litmus test. In this competitive industry where people enjoy others' failures, producers, for the first time, are hoping Mumbai Saga works so that other films have better scope." Even as he cherishes the big-screen experience, he asserts that audience safety comes first. "Wear masks, and watch the film only if you feel comfortable. I don't want a packed hall."
The tonality of crime dramas has changed in the OTT era with Mirzapur and Sacred Games deep-diving into the genre with long-format storytelling. Does he worry that viewers may not connect with his signature theatrics, having been accustomed to a different style of narrative? "The storytelling for big screens is different; here, you want quick payoff. The visual dynamics and music grab you. I have had innumerable offers to foray into OTT. I have refrained because I haven't cracked that formula yet. Storytelling should never be at the mercy of harsh language or gory depiction. I remember the explicit scenes of Shootout at Lokhandwala had put off a section of my audience."
