ADI SHANKAR WANTS TO MAKE INDIAN SHOWS
IndianAmerican film producer Aditya Shankar talks about making Indian shows, the popularity of Castlevania, and his way of looking at success
IIt took Indian-American film producer Aditya Shankar, a.k.a Adi Shankar, a wrong diagnosis of cancer, to realise his dreams of making films and TV shows. However, he adds the dream of being a filmmaker was in his head as early as “a four years old, watching actor Amitabh Bachchan’s Shehanshah (1988)”. I remember watching that film and thinking he is a superhero,” Adi tells us over the phone from New York.
“In many ways, he is like the Indian version of The Punisher (a superhero from the Marvel Comic universe). And I remember watching that and being inspired by it. But yeah that misdiagnosis pushed me to do something meaningful in life. I guess, maybe there were some unresolved issues (laughs). But that seed of creativity was in me ever since I was like four and I used to watch a lot of Indian films and shows,” he adds.
The 33-year-old rose to fame with the Bootleg Universe — a one-shot series of satire films of unauthorised pop culture icons including The Punisher and James Bond, and later served as show runner for the hugely popular American adult animated web series Castlevania that’s second season will air across the globe on October 26.
“For me, there are two perspectives to look at success. One of them is: Because the audience that I cater to is niche, globally, so it’s sort of no surprise that the project became popular. But the other way to look at is: ‘Oh, my god’. I can’t believe that it has become sooo popular,” he says.
But, it wasn’t always easy for Adi, who always “wanted” to contribute to the Indian entertainment industry. He feels that “outsiders” aren’t given much respect and attention here. “It is nepotistic in a way. I mean unless you know someone in the industry, there isn’t much hope,” he laments. Yet, all hope isn’t lost. Times have changed and Adi, who is good friends with Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap hopes that he gets to make an Indian show now.
“I wanted to make Dirty Laundry’s Indian version called Gande Kapde with Anurag (Dirty Laundry is the title of Adi’s short film around The Punisher). But then, something had happened, and the project took a back seat. There is a section of the masses, especially the youth, that is getting influenced by such movies. Thanks to the Internet. That’s why I think, doing a show in India will be a great thing. The audience is now opening up. I can’t wait to come to India and start doing something awesome,” he laughs.
There is a section of the masses, especially the youth, that is getting influenced by such movies. Thanks to the Internet. That’s why I think, doing a show in India will be a great thing. ADITYA SHANKAR FILM PRODUCER