EXCLUSIVE: Sudhir Mishra believes there are only a couple of film critics in India, says, “I don’t try to convince journalists to give me paid reviews”

Sudhir Mishra is a renowned filmmaker, known for his thought-provoking and critically acclaimed films. While growing up in Lucknow, Sudhir was exposed to films from a young age. His father’s involvement in the film society and his own passion for filmmaking sparked a creative fire within him.

After completing his education, Sudhir spent time with the theatre director Badal Sircar. He also spent a lot of his time learning from his younger brother, Sudhanshu Mishra who was a student at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and other industry experts. He often credits his brother with teaching him much of what he knows about films.

During an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, the filmmaker – who is known for critically acclaimed films, including Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Dharavi, and Chameli, revealed how film critics in the country currently lack understanding of films. While talking about paid reviews, Mishra also stated that he is eager for good criticism of his films

Sudhir Mishra on movie reviews

Sudhir Mishra says, ” I like good reviews, even if they are not complimentary. Unfortunately, there are very few critics. For a story, you might be referring to, I had read one or two reviews of Afwaah. Some critics today say that we know your story, better than you and your characters. But these people are the ones who never go to areas beyond Juhu or Bandra. I would say you don’t even know the dialect or accent people talk in, of those characters in the movie. Most of the critics write in English about Hindi movies.”

Sudhir Mishra on Criticism

He says, ” I believe criticism is very much important. Criticism should give reference to my films, and put in contact with what perspective was the film about. I try to find criticism through non-film friends, and fellow filmmakers. I have asked Kashyap to give me reviews of my film. And he has given me reviews for two to three films like Khoya Khoya Chand, Afwaah. I read that with people like Anubhav Sinha, Saeed Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah or an artist from a different medium. I am very much eager to see good criticism and there are some.”

Sudhir Mishra on Paid Reviews

Talking about paid reviews, Sudhir Mishra says,“Honestly, I never get calls from agents from are like we will get you paid reviews for your work and all. I am assumed to be a scary person. Never have I ever to date received any calls from people asking for a paid review, nor asked me to bribe them. I don’t think that money can influence anything, no one has ever asked for it from me. You have to tell people your story is what I believe in.”

He further adds, “I respect a lot of big journalists, I have a good network with both journalists and critics, and a lot of them are my friends also. As a filmmaker, I don’t try to convince journalists to get me paid reviews or take them for a drink or whatever. That’s not my relationship with people. I talk to critics about my work, and I ask them to explain their criticism. The best piece of criticism I got was from a drunk boy who said, ‘Your films are worse than the bhindi ka sabzi in our canteen’. I am not afraid of criticism. I talk to Kundan and Saeed about my work for a review. Kundan would love and was the only one who understood my work.”

Watch the full interview here:

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