Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya remains a defining western of our times, a film that explores themes of salvation and righteousness, while subverting expectations. Yet, Chaubey now believes the film could not be made in today’s cinematic landscape. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, he explained how, in the current climate, “nobody will even give 10 rupees to make it” and, if it were made, it likely wouldn’t pass the censors.
“Today, you would not get money for it at all. Even before the censors and all that, nobody would give you even Rs 10 to make it. It just wouldn’t happen.” Asked if a streaming platform might back a film like Sonchiriya, Chaubey was blunt: “No, streaming would be worse. It would not be funded at all. No way.” Co-writer Sudip Sharma, known for creating shows like Paatal Lok and Kohrra, added, “And even if it somehow got funded and made, it wouldn’t clear the censor boards. And nobody would come to see it in theatres.”
Abhishek Chaubey argues that even streaming platforms will not back Sonchiriya now.
“We won’t find any actor only,” Chaubey said, reflecting on how the film belonged to a bygone era with little scope for similar work today. “See, the thing is that there was a phase. Sonchiriya was the last film of that phase, I would say. There was a time when actors could take risks. There was an appetite for alternatives among the audience. For about 15 or 20 years, there was space for alternative cinema, and many alternative filmmakers found success during that period. That era is well and truly over. Today, at every critical stage of filmmaking, Sonchiriya would collapse.”
Watch the conversation on Sonchiriya in the new episode of Cult Comebacks
Earlier in the conversation, Chaubey also spoke about working with the late Sushant Singh Rajput and why he chose him for the film. The filmmaker felt he was a better fit than the typical “Bandra boys” of Bollywood. “The reason was very simple. We discussed his name among us and came to an agreement that there was something desi about Sushant. You know, with the other stars, these Bandra boys, I mean, not that they can’t do it, but it’s a longer journey to get from who they are to that world. For Sushant, it would be easier. He comes from a small town and has some idea of the kind of world we’re talking about.”
Sonchiriya was released on 1st March 2019, but it was allotted very limited screens, as it clashed with the Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon-starrer romantic comedy Luka Chuppi, which went on to become a major commercial success. Unfortunately, Sonchiriya couldn’t even collect Rs 10 crore at the box office during its theatrical run, despite receiving positive reviews and glowing word of mouth. To make matters worse, in some places where it was released, the film wasn’t shown in its original Bundeli dialect and was instead haphazardly dubbed. Sushant Singh Rajput had even warned fans at the time not to fall prey to such unofficial versions.
Anas Arif is a prolific Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Analyst at The Indian Express, where he specializes in the intersection of Indian pop culture, auteur-driven cinema, and industrial ethics. His writing is defined by a deep-seated commitment to documenting the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment through the lens of critical theory and narrative authorship.
Experience & Career
As a core member of The Indian Express entertainment vertical, Anas has cultivated a unique beat that prioritizes the "craft behind the celebrity." He has interviewed a vast spectrum of industry veterans, from blockbuster directors like Vijay Krishna Acharya, Sujoy Ghosh, Maneesh Sharma to experimental filmmakers and screenwriters like Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Varun Grover, Rajat Kapoor amongst several others. His career is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, where he frequently tackles the ethical implications of mainstream cinema and the socio-political subtext within popular media. He is also the host of the YouTube series Cult Comebacks, where he talks to filmmakers about movies that may not have succeeded initially but have, over time, gained a cult following. The show aims to explore films as works of art, rather than merely commercial ventures designed to earn box office revenue.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Anas's expertise lies in his ability to deconstruct cinematic works beyond surface-level reviews. His focus areas include:
Auteur Studies: Detailed retrospectives and analyses of filmmakers such as Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Kashyap, and Neeraj Ghaywan, often exploring their central philosophies and creative evolutions.
Cinematic Deconstruction: Examining technical and narrative choices, such as the use of aspect ratios in independent films (Sabar Bonda) or the structural rhythm of iconic soundtracks (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge).
Industrial & Social Ethics: Fearless critique of commercial blockbusters, particularly regarding the promotion of bigoted visions or the marginalization of communities in mainstream scripts.
Exclusive Long-form Interviews: Conducting high-level dialogues with actors and creators to uncover archival anecdotes and future-looking industry insights.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anas Arif has established himself as a trusted voice by consistently moving away from standard PR-driven journalism. Whether he is interrogating the "mythology of Shah Rukh Khan" in modern sequels or providing a space for independent filmmakers to discuss the "arithmetic of karma," his work is rooted in objectivity and extensive research. Readers look to Anas for an educated viewpoint that treats entertainment not just as a commodity, but as a critical reflection of the country's collective conscience. ... Read More
Abhishek Chaubey argues that even streaming platforms will not back Sonchiriya now.
