Krishan Hooda: Cinema Has The Unique Ability To Capture And Comment On Society, And That Includes Exploring Bold And Thought-Provoking Themes

“The response to The Elephant in the Room has been off the charts! People are loving it, and my phone has been buzzing with calls from friends, family, and some unexpected industry admirers. The dialogues and the film’s treatment are hitting all the right notes. But you know what’s stealing the show? The comedy and the sheer madness of the friends in the film. Some viewers even said they wish it were longer to hang out more with the characters. Looks like we’ve got a hit on our hands, folks! Thanks for all the love and for wanting more elephant-sized fun!” he says.

Talking about his experience of directing the film, he says, “The experience of directing Daisy Shah and Viraf Patell was remarkable. Both of them are seasoned actors, and they brought a wealth of talent and professionalism to the project. Working with them made my job so much easier; often, they seemed to intuitively grasp the nuances of their characters and scenes, saving valuable time during the shoot.”

He adds, “I had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve with this project, and it felt like we were going on a mission across the border, complete with a detailed plan laid out like a mission chart. Everyone on the team contributed in the best way possible, just like a well-coordinated mission. From our talented actors to the dedicated crew, each person played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life.”

The team was absolutely incredible, says Krishan, adding, “Having Neeltarni as the co-writer on the film was a game-changer. Her creative insights and ability to improvise on the spot were remarkable. Whenever we needed to tweak a scene or explore new options, she was right there with a plate full of ideas, making the entire process even smoother.”

He says that the script and performances stood out. “What truly stood out was their impeccable comedic timing and unwavering commitment to their roles. Their chemistry on set was palpable, and it added an extra layer of authenticity to the project. Thanks to their dedication and skill, we were able to achieve so much in a relatively short amount of time, all while maintaining the quality and integrity of the work,” he says, adding, “I would also love to express my gratitude to my producer, Aartie Miranni, for assembling such a talented cast. It’s her vision and support that made this project possible, and I’m truly fortunate to have had such good actors to collaborate with. Together, we turned this mission into a resounding success.”

Despite bold content being the flavour of the month, the makers of this film made sure to create a film that was clean and controversy-free. Talking about this decision, he says, “I’m a strong advocate for bold ideas and the freedom to express them in our content. As a storyteller, I believe in the power of storytelling to reflect the world around us and convey the spirit of our times. Cinema, in particular, has the unique ability to capture and comment on the society we live in, and that includes exploring bold and thought-provoking themes. While we wanted to create a fun and entertaining movie, there were certain aspects that we initially considered incorporating, which could have been seen as controversial. However, the decision to exclude them wasn’t due to a lack of enthusiasm for bold content but rather a choice to ensure a shorter length for the film to be more engaging and entertaining to our audience.”

He adds, “As filmmakers, we never truly abandon our ideas; if they don’t fit in one project, they often find their way into the next one, perhaps in a different form or style while retaining their core essence. The key is to strike a balance between pushing boundaries and creating content that resonates with the audience, all while upholding the artistic integrity of the storytelling process. In the end, it’s about finding the right medium and moment to explore and convey those bold ideas effectively.”