In an industry known for its larger-than-life narratives and star-studded hero worship, director Santosh Singh is charting a new course with his commitment to realistic storytelling and authentic character portrayal. From Broken but Beautiful to Apharan 2, he has charmed the audience with his directorial prowess. His latest project, Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond, exemplifies this fresh approach, offering a nuanced take on patriotic cinema that focuses on collective heroism and disciplined representation. Now, Santosh opens up about a director’s responsibilities while making films based on real life events.
Director Santosh Singh is redefining the landscape of Indian cinema with his focus on realistic storytelling and authentic character portrayals. Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond is a testament to his ability to break away from traditional hero worship and present a more truthful and respectful depiction of collective heroism. He says, “When we portray our armed forces or the defense establishment, we have to be extra careful with how we present them onscreen. They are all about discipline—the way they behave, their body language, and their uniforms. They wear it with a lot of pride. You have to respect that.”
He added, “ In a movie, I saw the hero walking around the whole film with his collar up. It’s a major put-off and wrong on so many levels. In the Air Force, you would be thrown out for this." Such lapses in authenticity are unacceptable to Singh, who strives to ensure his portrayals are both respectful and realistic.
Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond stands out in the crowded field of Bollywood patriotic films. In fact, Singh’s approach is informed by a critical piece of feedback he received from the Air Force: “I was told by the Air Force that they don’t believe in hero worship.” This philosophy is at the heart of the series, which avoids the conventional focus on a singular heroic figure. Instead, it highlights the collective efforts and teamwork that drive military success.
He further says, “You mainly find movies built around just one heroic character. In the real world, there are many, many people behind these historic events,” Singh explains. By portraying the true nature of military operations, Singh offers a more credible and comprehensive view of heroism.
Singh takes his role as a director very seriously, particularly when dealing with stories inspired by true events. “As soon as you put the disclaimer that your film or series is inspired by true events, then you are looking at a credible and authentic portrayal of the events, and your responsibility as a filmmaker increases many folds,” he asserts. This heightened sense of responsibility drives him to strive for accuracy and depth in his storytelling.
For Singh, the ultimate measure of success is whether the audience understands and appreciates the story. “As the director, it’s my job to make people understand, and if the audience does not understand, then I have failed them as a director,” he says. This commitment to clarity and engagement underscores his dedication to his craft.
On the work front, director Santosh Singh is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming comedy film, Nausikhiye, a Lions Gate film produced by Elipsis Entertainment, staring Abhimanyu Dasani, Amol Prashar, and Shreya Dhanwatry.
