Ahead of the Red Lorry Film Festival, renowned filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane gets in a chat with The Pioneer sharing his feelings on film festivals and speaks about his latest venture, Black Warrant
Vikramaditya Motwane, one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers, has been deeply passionate about cinema—not just as a director but also as a cinephile. As he participates in the Red Lorry Film Festival, starting today, he reflects on the magic of film festivals, the evolution of his cinematic journey, and his latest project, Black Warrant. For Motwane, film festivals are more than just industry events; they are life-changing experiences. He fondly recalls how attending his first film festival—MAMI in Mumbai—opened his eyes to the boundless possibilities of cinema.
“My life, in a sense, was changed by a film festival. The first time I went to MAMI, I saw incredible movies that completely shifted my perspective. Dr. Strangelove, Close-Up, A Brighter Summer Day—these films blew my mind. They didn’t just inspire me to write and create but also made me realise the impact a film can have when experienced on the big screen,” heshares.
Encouraging audiences to embrace the festival spirit, he emphasises that film festivals are not just for industry insiders but for anyone willing to step into a world of unique and transformative storytelling. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to open up your mind and expand your taste in cinema. If you’ve never been to a film festival, come, watch something new—you won’t be disappointed.”
Motwane praises the Red Lorry Film Festival as “an amazing initiative” and highlights its eclectic selection of films. “There are so many interesting categories this year. Apart from the obvious competition sections, which showcase both established filmmakers and debutants—there are also country-specific selections like those from Spain and France, as well as films made by women.”
However, the section he is most excited about is Legacy Films, which brings classic masterpieces back to the big screen. “This category has some absolutely stunning movies. Deewar, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Teesri Manzil—all of these are cinematic gems. It’s almost like a retrospective now, which makes it so special.”
The Berlin filmmaker’s latest project, Black Warrant, dives into the complex and morally ambiguous world of crime and justice. Based on real-life accounts, the series offers a gripping, unfiltered look at the underbelly of prison life and the criminals who inhabit it.
“We did a lot of research on Charles [Sobhraj]—as much as we could find,” he says, referencing the notorious conman who inspired aspects of the story. “Sunil Gupta, who personally interacted with Charles, provided a first-person account of events, which gave us invaluable insights. Much of what we depict in the series comes from his voice, his memories, and his book.”
One of the most significant creative decisions was casting Siddhant Gupta as Charles. “That was an inspired choice by Mukesh Chhabra. Siddhant brought something remarkable to the role—his research, his performance, everything was fabulous. Full credit to him for bringing the character to life.”
Motwane describes Black Warrant as a mix of gritty realism and gripping storytelling. “There are moments where the true masala nature of the story comes to the forefront,” he explains.
“For instance, the opening of Episode 4, where a World Cup final is playing while drugs are being smuggled—that’s a perfect example of how we balanced intense drama with high-stakes storytelling.”
Certain scenes stood out for him, both in terms of their impact and their execution. “Episode 7, where you see Sarju being beaten for information—that was a very strong moment. You also see the effect it has on Sunil, which adds depth to his character. Another scene that really stays with me is the hanging of Ranga and Billa in Episode 2. It’s unsettling, but at the same time, you can’t look away. It’s deep, it’s disturbing, and it pulls you into the emotional core of the series.”
While adapting the book, the initial instinct was to condense 35 years of events into a single season. However, writer Satyanshu Singh proposed a different approach—focusing on just four years in Season 1.
“This allowed us to really dive deep into Sunil’s story—his life in prison, his relationships, his traumas, and his inner world beyond just his interactions with criminals. Prison defines your life, but it doesn’t mean life stops there. There’s so much happening inside, and that’s what we wanted to explore.”
For Motwane, cinema is more than just entertainment—it is an experience, a conversation and sometimes, even a catalyst for change. Whether it’s through Black Warrant or his advocacy for film festivals, he believes in the power of storytelling to challenge, inspire, and transform.
“If you’ve never been to a film festival, go. Watch something new, something different. Open your mind—you never know, it might just change your life.”
