‘Black Warrant’ Team Unpacks Netflix Series Success at Cinevesture Film Festival

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At the ongoing Cinevesture International Film Festival in Chandigarh, India, there was a discussion centering around “Black Warrant,” the popular Netflix series that has consistently ranked among the Top 10 for nearly three months since its debut.

The conversation involved Vikramaditya Motwane (creator-showrunner), Sameer Nair (producer from Applause Entertainment), Zahan Kapoor, and Rahul Bhat (key actors). They delved into the powerful collaboration that has made the prison drama a hit on streaming platforms, focusing on what they call the “key to success.

The show is based on the book ‘Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer’ by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury. It tells the story of Gupta’s 35-year tenure at India’s notorious Tihar prison, during which he managed high-profile inmates such as serial killer Charles Sobhraj, kidnapper Kuljeet Singh (known as Ranga Khus), and kidnapper Jasbir Singh (known as Billa).

In discussing the transformation of “Sacred Games” for Netflix, Motwane noted that compressing the book’s broad timeframe was essential. He remarked, “The book is captivating because it’s so dramatic. For instance, Sunil Gupta lands a job – on his very first day, he encounters Charles Sobhraj, who he hadn’t even known about before. Within the first year, he’s overseeing the executions of Ranga and Billa,” Motwane added.

Instead of trying to encompass all 35 years, Motwane and co-creator Satyanshu Singh chose to concentrate the first season on merely four years of Gupta’s career. As Motwane stated, “Otherwise, it might become quite episodic, with a focus on one incident after another. Is there any enjoyment in that?

The project began when journalist Josie Joseph and Confluence Media recognized the potential of adapting a book, which they subsequently proposed to Motwane. “Josie contacted me and asked if I was interested,” explained Motwane. “I read the book, brought Satya into the loop, and suggested we should adapt it. We outlined a plan, wrote two episodes, and then I presented it all to Sameer.

The show showcased both seasoned and rising stars, featuring Kapoor as the lead character Sunil Gupta and Bhat in the role of Deputy Superintendent of Police Tomar.

Actor Bhat, recognized for his role as the lead in Anurag Kashyap’s Cannes-nominated film “Kennedy,” explained his method for portraying a morally ambiguous character: “Even if a character is evil, you need to be able to connect with them and feel compassion. You must stand up for their cause. Essentially, you become the character’s defense attorney.

For Kapoor, whose roots run deep in the Prithvi Theatre of Mumbai – a legacy passed down from his granddad, the acclaimed actor Shashi Kapoor – his theater experience proved incredibly beneficial. Motwane commended Kapoor’s talents that extended beyond acting: “The years spent at Prithvi have instilled in him such profound insights about characters, drama, stories, and scripts. Indeed, a valuable asset.

Through a compelling audition process, Motwane found Kapoor to be perfectly suited for the role: “From the initial 10 seconds of his audition, it was clear he was the right fit. Interestingly enough, the scene he read during the audition was identical to the first scene in the series where he’s applying for a job.

Kapoor expressed that he’s been hesitant about creating an artificial persona or deceiving people about his true self through manipulation and fabrication. He feels that such actions are not honest. Instead, he considers himself more a creation of Prithvi Theatre than a product of the film industry lineage.

Under the supervision of Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Black Warrant’, multiple directors were utilized in the production of the show. This approach, according to Motwane, should be common practice for Indian streaming series as it allows for tasks to be completed more swiftly and effectively with a constant influx of new ideas.

In all, there were five different directors involved in the series, with Motwane, Singh, Arkesh Ajay, Rohin Raveendran Nair, and Ambiecka Pandit among them.

In their role as a showrunner, they recommend maintaining some distance. What truly matters to them is ensuring that each character’s storylines align with the original plans established at the start,” Motwane explained.

Applause Entertainment’s approach to content creation, as explained by Sameer Nair, involves producing shows even before securing a platform. In his words, “This method instills a sense of apprehension because you’re making crucial decisions that others may not appreciate until the audience does.” He commended Netflix for quickly grasping their creative vision. Put simply, he acknowledges that Netflix was quick to understand what Applause Entertainment is aiming to achieve.

Concerning the choice between star-studded casts and ensembles in streaming productions, Nair expressed: “For series, we’re dealing with extended narratives, complex tales, and multi-layered stories. It provides the opportunity to assemble an ensemble cast, discover fresh talents, and captivate viewers with unexpected performances.

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2025-03-23 11:17