In an industry where the spotlight often falls solely on the director, Somen Mishra, the Head of Content at Dharma Production, has called for a cultural shift. In a thought-provoking social media post, Mishra urged directors to share the limelight with the often-overlooked creative forces behind a film—the writers. Sharing a video of prominent director Rohit Shetty acknowledging his writing team for the new series ‘Indian Police Force’, Mishra lauded this move, presenting it as the exemplary approach.
Mishra’s words have resonated within the film community, sparking discussions around the widespread issue of credit distribution in filmmaking. In a particularly pointed remark, he exhorted, “Be like Rohit Shetty. Be like my boss KJ. Always acknowledge your writers. Stop hogging all credits.” His message underscores the directors’ habit of sidelining writers during their moments of fame and recognition, drawing attention to a recent OTT release that was met with acclaim but overshadowed its writer’s contributions.
This isn’t the first time Mishra has voiced his opinion on credit appropriation in the film industry. His discerning gaze turned toward the respected director Vidhu Vinod Chopra and his latest film ‘12th Fail’, featuring actor Vikrant Massey. Although Mishra had previously spoken highly of the film, he simultaneously criticized Chopra for being too “chindi”, a colloquial term suggesting pettiness, with credits, particularly in regard to writing and editing. Referencing the emotional impact of the film, Mishra recalled how despite the known outcome, ‘12th Fail’ captivated audiences, leaving not a single dry eye in theatres.
His commentary stretched beyond mere observations, however, evolving into a potent mix of praise and reproof, “As much as we all are praising the film + VVC, I hope he realizes he is too chindi with credits, especially writing and editing. Need to stop hogging all credits. Has done in the past too. Good film made, director hai, that’s enough. You become bigger by giving the right credits,” Mishra tweeted.
Fanning the flames of speculation, the moviegoing public and netizens have attempted to decipher the underlying message of Mishra’s posts. Discussions abounded, speculating that his words were directly aimed at Chopra’s handling of ’12th Fail’, which can be seen as an emblematic example of the broader problem.
In a narrative twist, the Academy Award ambitions of ’12th Fail’ further escalate the tensions around due credit. As a film submitted for the Oscars in 2024 as an independent entry, the acknowledgement of all artistic contributions becomes even more crucial. Confirming the film’s Oscar submission, Vikrant Massey shared, “The film 12th Fail has indeed been sent to the Oscars in 2024 as an independent nomination,” elevating its global significance.
Bringing this unspoken issue into the limelight, Mishra catalyzes an overdue conversation in the film industry. As cinema continues to be a collaborative art, the recognition owed to each creative participant is not just a matter of courtesy but of ethical significance.
Through his daring comments and actions, Somen Mishra doesn’t simply call out one individual; he strikes at the heart of a systemic inclination to overshadow the silent architects of storytelling—the writers. His push for recognition affirms the necessity to honor all conspired hands that mold the narratives which move and transform audiences worldwide.
