Producers will be spoilt for choices: Anjum Rajabali on changing scenario of storytelling

Anjum Rajabali, the writer behind successful films like "Pukar" and "Rajneeti", is happy that writers are being valued but says it is yet to translate into monetary recognition.

Rajabali says a lot of young writers are joining the industry and producers will soon be spoilt for choice.

"Writing is seen as a process and it is a good thing. In the next three-four years, we are going to witness a sea change in the level of scriptwriting. I see a lot of young writers doing a good job.

"There will be a lot of good scripts floating around and producers will be spoilt for choice. It is just that the terms in the contract should become better," Rajabali, who has written "Saare Jahan Se Aacha" based on astronaut Rakesh Sharma told PTI.

Rajabali, who has also written Ajay Devgn's "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" and Farhan Akhtar's "Toofan", says the film industry is gradually realising the importance of a good story over star power.

"Over the last ten years, we have seen some improvement, now the film industry is also releasing that without a good script you can't make a successful film. Those days when you relied excessively on stars, great music, large production budget and big promos are gradually fading away.

"The audience is looking for meaningful storytelling experience and that comes from the script. Hence the value accorded to script has increased but not enough by a long chalk."
"They feel undervalued, insecure about contractual terms and don't feel assured that they will get due credit for their work. Scriptwriting is a difficult task so it is in the interest of the project that the process be protected. The writer should be insulated from unnecessary anxiety. It is in the interest of the film industry that we must work out arrangements."
"There should be minimum fees or safety-net based on the budget of the film, credit of the writer has to be contractually protected and if there is a scenario of termination, then the terms have to be fair to both the parties."
"We intend to take it with other producers and also have a meeting with Siddharth Roy Kapur, President of the Film and TV Producers Guild and see if they can make a recommendation to all their members."