All three International Emmy-nominated Indian artists - Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime season 2), Vir Das (Netflix special Vir Das: Landing), and Jim Sarbh (Rocket Boys) - came together for a panel discussion at the popular Express Adda hosted by Anant Goenka, Executive Director of Indian Express. Among various other things, the trio was asked about the massive egos of filmmakers or artistes they had to deal with. In answer to the question whether it is behaviour reminiscent of middle-level people more than the filmmakers themselves, the stand-up comedian said, "I would agree that it is more middle-level. In a company that's doing really well. The chairman and CEO are usually humble and nice to everyone. The intern is usually humble to impress everybody. The VP of sales - that guy is an ****hole, across every single company. He has to impress that guy (the CEO) and oppress that guy (the intern). So, a lot of artistes till they find their voice. the moment they find their voice they are supremely secure about reviews, failures, about knowing that when they got it wrong. It is the same with the actors. when they are unsure of their voice. they tend to impress and oppress." Seconding him, Shefali Shah recounted a bad experience with a senior cinematographer. She said, "He (Vir Das) is right, they are ****holes. First and foremost, no one is larger than life. You are not a gift from God. I don't even know how they live with themselves. There is a difference between taking your work seriously and taking yourself seriously." She added, "I was doing a film two years ago. We had a very senior DOP, who was looked up to. The director was a first-timer. He told the DOP, 'There is a star, we have to do his shot, and there is. Shefali getting out of the van, we have to do her shot.' And he (the DOP) said loudly in front of everyone, 'Ab kya sabka shot lete rahenge (Will we keep on taking everyone's shot now)?'. I can't tell how terrible I felt. And all the respect I had for this man went right down the drain. I think he is an ****hole. Now, when I look at it, I feel pity for him. I really feel sorry for that person. And strangely, they had to reshoot that scene. And you are being so stupid about it. You let people decide how important or prestigious what you are doing is." Jim Sarbh also said that he would like filmmakers to be a bit megalomaniacal since he has to tell everyone to do something and say that 'this stuff is good'. "I think every director has to be a bit of that but in a way that one is open to collaboration. Ideally, the devotion is not to them but to the project."
