In this special Industry Spotlight, filmmaker and director Nikhil Mahajan spoke with Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy at the Motion Picture Association, about his journey into cinema, the values that continued to guide his work, and the evolving realities of filmmaking in India.

Nikhil reflected on growing up in Sambhaji Nagar, formerly Aurangabad, where Bollywood cinema had been his primary exposure to films. Coming from a family with no industry connections but a deep love for movie-going, his early relationship with cinema was rooted in collective viewing and storytelling. Encouraged by his parents to pursue filmmaking through formal education, he studied in Sydney, where exposure to global classmates and cultures broadened his worldview and influenced his approach to storytelling, even as he recognized that the core grammar of cinema remained universal.

Looking back on his debut film Pune 52, Nikhil identified fearlessness as the most enduring lesson. Making his first film without being driven by commercial considerations allowed him to trust his instincts, a principle he continued to carry forward in his career. He spoke about Godavari as a deeply personal project, noting that its National Film Award and Filmfare recognition mattered most to his parents, serving as validation for the unconventional path they had supported. The accolades also shifted how he was perceived within the industry, reinforcing the importance of conviction and persistence.

Nikhil discussed the expanding ecosystem of content platforms, describing the proliferation of theatrical, broadcast, and digital spaces as both an opportunity and a challenge. While multiple avenues had opened up for stories to reach audiences, he acknowledged concerns around shrinking attention spans and declining theatrical footfalls for smaller films. His own approach remained rooted in making films for the big screen, while recognizing that certain intimate stories were better suited to digital release.

On the question of genres and market trends, Nikhil emphasized that he did not allow current successes to dictate his creative choices. He believed filmmaking was inherently uncertain and argued that long-term commitment to a project required deep personal conviction. Commercial considerations, he said, entered the process only after a story had been chosen, shaping how it was told rather than what was told.

Addressing the practical challenges of filmmaking, Nikhil highlighted the difficulties faced by low-budget and regional filmmakers, particularly around location costs and permissions in Maharashtra. He advocated for clearer statewide guidelines, single-window clearance systems, and incentives that could make filming more accessible, especially for smaller productions. In his view, such measures would not only ease logistical burdens but also encourage filmmakers to explore the diverse locations the state had to offer.