In a groundbreaking development for Hindi cinema, writer Gaurav Solanki has emerged as the highest paid crew member on filmmaker Anubhav Sinha's upcoming courtroom drama 'Assi'. This significant fact was prominently displayed in the film's first poster released on social media earlier this week, marking a historic moment for writers in the industry.
A New Benchmark for Writers in Bollywood
Solanki, who expressed both happiness and pride about this development, emphasized that this achievement represents more than just financial gain. "I believe it sets a new benchmark in Hindi cinema, and I feel happy and proud that this has happened," Solanki told PTI in an exclusive interview. "It is not just about money, it is about respect that was long overdue. So it is definitely a good thing for the entire writers' community because script is the backbone of a film."
The writer revealed he only recently learned about his remuneration, which surprisingly exceeds even that of the film's stars, though he chose not to disclose the exact figure. This revelation comes as a powerful statement about the value of storytelling in contemporary cinema.
The Significance of Script in Content-Driven Cinema
Solanki elaborated on the importance of this development for content-driven films, stating: "Whether it is a big tentpole movie or a smaller-budget film, they all start as a story on a plain white paper. So in a way, we are definitely making a statement with this film that writers and the script get the respect they deserve, at least in content-driven cinema."
This perspective highlights a growing recognition within the industry that strong narratives form the foundation of successful films, regardless of their scale or budget.
'Assi': A Power-Packed Courtroom Drama
The film 'Assi', described by makers as a relentless investigative thriller, unfolds through an intense courtroom drama format. Headlined by actor Taapsee Pannu, the ensemble cast includes:
- Kani Kusruti
- Revathy
- Manoj Pahwa
- Kumud Mishra
- Zeeshan Ayyub
With special appearances by veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, and Seema Bhargava, the film promises a compelling narrative experience.
Solanki explained the film's premise: "The story is about an assault on a workaholic woman and explores the impact of such an incident on the survivor's life. It also explores the impact it has on the life of the accused or perpetrators and how the justice system works. It's an investigative thriller and a courtroom drama around that."
Creative Collaborations and Reunions
Scheduled for release on February 20, 'Assi' marks another collaboration between several key creative talents:
- Taapsee Pannu reunites with director Anubhav Sinha after their successful projects "Mulk" and "Thappad"
- Gaurav Solanki works with Sinha again after their critically acclaimed collaboration on "Article 15"
When asked about the team's reaction to his being the highest paid crew member, Solanki responded: "All of them are my friends and I know that they will be happy about this."
Gaurav Solanki's Journey from IIT to Bollywood
Solanki's path to becoming one of Hindi cinema's most respected writers is particularly noteworthy. Hailing from Sangaria in Rajasthan, he graduated from IIT Roorkee, with his family initially expecting him to pursue civil services. However, Solanki always recognized writing as his true calling.
His film career began with writing lyrics for Anurag Kashyap's 2014 film 'Ugly'. Subsequent collaborations included working with Sudhir Mishra on 'Daas Dev' and writing the controversial 2021 web series 'Tandav'. Interestingly, it was Mishra who introduced Solanki to Anubhav Sinha, who was seeking someone proficient in both poetry and fiction storytelling for a musical project that ultimately didn't materialize.
This introduction led to their collaboration on 'Article 15', Sinha's critically acclaimed examination of India's caste system. Reflecting on his career choices, Solanki expressed no regrets about leaving potential security for creative fulfillment.
The Writer's Multifaceted Craft
Between film projects, Solanki has engaged in various writing forms including poetry, short stories, lyrics, and non-fiction, even working briefly as a film critic. He views these diverse experiences as complementary to his screenwriting work.
"I feel all these forms of writing complement each other. You have different tools at your disposal, sometimes poetry helps in writing dialogue or shaping a scene. So it has been a very rewarding journey. Some days you write in one form, and on other days in another. I feel fortunate that I am able to write across different forms," Solanki explained.
Addressing Industry Bias Against Writers
Despite scripts being universally acknowledged as cinema's backbone, Solanki pointed out persistent biases in how writers are treated within the industry. "Even in reviews, if you read them, a writer's name is summed up in just one line whereas there is more focus on performances. But if the film does not do well, then the writer is blamed," he observed.
This makes his status as 'Assi's' highest paid crew member particularly significant as it challenges traditional industry hierarchies and compensation structures.
Production Details and Industry Impact
'Assi' is produced by Anubhav Sinha through his banner Benaras Mediaworks Production, in collaboration with Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar of T-Series. Sinha, known for hard-hitting social dramas like 'Anek' and 'Bheed', continues his tradition of creating thought-provoking cinema with this project.
The film's approach to writer compensation could potentially influence broader industry practices, encouraging greater recognition and remuneration for writing talent across Hindi cinema. As content-driven films gain prominence, this development signals a positive shift toward valuing the creative foundation upon which all successful films are built.
