The success of a movie is fundamentally driven by its story. Equally important is the way that story is brought to life on screen. Directors tend to be extremely strict when it comes to these two elements, and they rarely compromise. If the scope of the story expands during production, they make sure the required resources and setups are provided, regardless of the cost. Once shooting begins, even if the budget escalates, the producer usually has no choice but to follow the director’s vision — because at that stage, there is no room for compromise.
Directors rarely, if ever, adjust their creative demands to suit the producer’s purse. In some cases, they’d rather walk away from the project entirely than agree to scale back. That’s why so many projects have been shelved. However, Sekhar Kammula is a rare exception. Known for his unique approach, Kammula chose a different path for his pan-Indian film Kubera, which became a massive success.
While making Kubera, the budget originally estimated on paper increased considerably during production as the story demanded more. Instead of pushing the producer for additional funds — a practice most other directors would follow — Kammula decided to trim the story itself. By cutting scenes strategically, he kept the project within its means without compromising the quality or impact. Kammula himself acknowledged that this was only possible because his team stood firmly behind him.
Had this been any other director, the usual response would have been to demand another 30 crores and insist that the film could not be completed without it. That’s the norm for nearly 80% of filmmakers today — not because they’re greedy, but because they believe scaling back would hinder their artistic expression.
Kammula’s decision reflects a level of discipline that other filmmakers, whether new or experienced, can certainly learn from.
