‘Stolen’ steals the spotlight as Prime Video reveals its winning strategy

MUMBAI: At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Mumbai, Prime Video hosted a lively deep-dive session on how Stolen transformed from a risky indie bet into a global breakout and, in the process, became a cinematic calling card for creators who dare to tell uncomfortable truths.

The panel brought together actor Abhishek Banerjee, writer-director Karan Tejpal, producer Gaurav Dhingra, and Prime Video India’s head of content acquisition Manish Menghani, with filmmaker Divyansh Jain steering the discussion.

The session opened with the story behind the story. Karan recalled the harrowing real-life incidents that inspired Stolen, many rooted in the wave of “WhatsApp lynchings” that swept across India between 2015 and 2020.
He said one incident from Assam stayed with him, “It wasn’t just the brutality, it was the laughter of unseen bystanders. I had to understand why this was happening in my own country.”

That urgency, he said, became the film’s spine.

For Prime Video, choosing Stolen wasn’t about scale, genre or commercial certainties. Manish explained that the platform’s content philosophy hinges on one question: Is this a story that must be told now? “This isn’t a film you simply watch. It confronts you and refuses to sit in a neat genre box. It’s rooted, raw and real and that’s what makes it powerful,” he said. 

He added that the film’s execution sealed the deal. “It felt like someone telling me a story, not a film playing on screen. The performances were lived-in, the craft nearly global in standard, and the creators protected their vision all the way through, which is rare.” 

Abhishek Banerjee spoke about the rigorous long-take sequences, rehearsed repeatedly with co-actor Shubham to maintain authenticity. “You’re acting, driving, staying in frame, keeping others unmasked , everything at once. It taught me the value of brutal rehearsal.”

When asked how the film might be remembered decades from now, Karan called it a “time capsule” of the country: a snapshot of a disturbing social moment that future generations could revisit to understand the times.

Manish highlighted the film’s thematic core: two brothers choosing between safety and moral responsibility. “That uncomfortable choice is what stays with you. It forces you to reflect on your own decisions.”

On supporting creator-driven films, he outlined three pillars: unwavering creative conviction, world-standard execution, and a strong team, with the business of cinema taken as seriously as the storytelling craft.

Producer Gaurav Dhingra echoed the importance of integrity in filmmaking, “Producing isn’t just spending money, it’s deciding what truly serves the film’s value.”

Prime Video’s presence at IFFI, the company said, reflects the growing role of streaming in elevating India’s creative economy and projecting homegrown stories onto a global canvas.