‘Stolen’ Director Karan Tejpal Says Films with Good Person Doing Good Things and Winning Are Boring

Karan Tejpal, the director of the critically acclaimed film Stolen, recently shared his views on the nature of storytelling in cinema. He expressed that movies featuring a purely good protagonist who does good deeds and inevitably wins tend to be dull and uninspiring. According to Tejpal, such narratives lack the complexity and depth that engage audiences and provoke meaningful reflection.

Stolen is a gripping crime drama inspired by a real-life incident in Assam, where two men were tragically lynched after being falsely accused of child trafficking due to a viral WhatsApp message. The film follows the story of two brothers, Gautam and Raman, played by Abhishek Banerjee and Shubham Vardhan, respectively. The siblings find themselves embroiled in a desperate search for a kidnapped baby in a remote village, facing harsh realities and moral dilemmas along the way.

Tejpal’s choice to focus on a morally ambiguous protagonist is deliberate. Gautam is not a typical hero; he is flawed, conflicted, and driven by personal motives that are not always noble. This complexity allows the film to explore the darker and more nuanced aspects of human nature, making the narrative far more compelling and relatable. Tejpal believes that audiences today crave stories that reflect real-life ambiguities rather than simplistic tales of good versus evil.

In contrast, Tejpal argues that films which portray characters who are solely good, always make the right choices, and ultimately emerge victorious, fail to captivate because they feel predictable and unrealistic. Such stories, he suggests, do not challenge the viewer or offer new insights into human behavior and society. By embracing moral complexity, Tejpal’s Stolen provides a fresh perspective that stands out in contemporary Indian cinema.

The film has received widespread acclaim for its raw, intense storytelling and powerful performances. It was India’s sole selection at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, where it was met with a standing ovation. Critics and audiences alike praised its unflinching portrayal of social issues, including mob violence and the consequences of misinformation. The movie’s success on the international stage has positioned Tejpal as a filmmaker unafraid to tackle difficult subjects and experiment with storytelling conventions.

Tejpal’s approach reflects a broader shift in filmmaking where authenticity and complexity are increasingly valued. Audiences are no longer satisfied with black-and-white portrayals of characters and situations; instead, they seek narratives that acknowledge the shades of grey in human nature and society. By challenging traditional heroic archetypes, films like Stolen open the door for more nuanced discussions about morality, justice, and empathy.

In summary, Karan Tejpal’s remarks highlight the evolving landscape of cinema where the focus is moving away from formulaic stories to those rich in moral ambiguity and realism. His film Stolen exemplifies this trend by portraying flawed characters navigating harsh realities, thereby engaging audiences in a deeper and more meaningful way. This approach not only elevates the storytelling experience but also contributes to a more thoughtful and mature film culture in India.