Documentaries in India under performing: Vikramaditya Motwane

Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, who has put his weight behind National-award-winning documentary 'Katiyabaaz' as a presenter, feels the genre is not getting its due despite dealing with interesting issues.
'Katiyabaaz', jointly directed by Deepti Kakkar and Fahad Mustafa and presented by Phantom Films, is a story of rampant electricity theft in Kanpur and has been told through the eyes of two protagonists.
"It is sad that Indian audience are not watching such brilliant documentaries on a regular basis as compared to the western countries. Documentaries are under performing in India. I feel filmmakers should come forward and support such documentaries which are more identifiable," Motwane told PTI in an interview.

After traveling to over 50 international film festivals including Tribeca Film Festival, London Open Docs Fest, Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, Berlin Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, 'Katiyabaaz' is finally releasing in India on August 22.
The 'Lootera' helmer promises to reach out to the Indian masses with maximum occupancy in multiplexes and single-screen theatres.
"A good film always gets its audience and I am not surprised that 'Katiyabaaz' also connected with the international audience. After a good show in western countries, we are planning to release the film in 40 screens across India.

"We are going to release the film in multiplexes of metro cities. We are also in talks to hold special screenings in small cities like Meerut, Ghaziabad and Kanpur where the problem is rampant," Motwane said.

The 37-year-old filmmaker says the moment he watched the 84 minute film during its screening, he decided to present it because he found the plot engaging and entertaining.
"I saw the film on its screening. I really liked the film and film it entertaining and engaging. It had so much insight to the subject that I felt I am living in that part of the country. Everybody seen power failure but nobody had ever thought to introduce it into a documentary," he said.
Motwane, who is gearing up to start the shoot of his next film as a direction 'Bhavesh Joshi', has denied reports that 'Heropanti' actress Kriti Sanon has been roped in to star opposite Sidharth Malhotra in the film.

"We haven't decided on the leading lady yet. Sidharth is onboard for the film, which will go on floors at the year end, It's an action film," he said.