Pallavi Joshi, a veteran actress and producer, has recently shared her perspective on why she believes that big Bollywood stars don't quite fit into the kind of films she makes with her husband, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri. In a candid discussion, Joshi articulated that the "image-driven" nature of stars like Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) and others often clashes with the content-driven narratives that she and Agnihotri strive to create.

Joshi's career spans five decades, starting as a child artist in 1973. She has worked in parallel cinema, television, and, in recent years, has gained recognition for producing and acting in films like The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files. These films, directed by her husband, are known for tackling challenging and often controversial subjects.

According to Joshi, her films require actors who can completely surrender to the script and the director's vision. She emphasizes the importance of casting actors who understand the film's core message and are willing to immerse themselves in their characters without the baggage of a pre-conceived image. Joshi notes that during the casting process for The Tashkent Files, many actors found the script too verbose, particularly the committee scenes. This indicated to her and Agnihotri that these actors didn't fully grasp the film's essence, leading them to seek performers who truly understood the material.

Joshi's comments implicitly suggest that actors who carry the weight of a massive public image might find it difficult to shed that persona and fully embody a character in her films. She admires actors such as Amitabh Bachchan for his dedication. She values performers who prioritize the role over their star image, seamlessly integrating into the story's fabric.

The actress also reflected on the evolution of Indian cinema, noting the blurring lines between art-house and commercial films. She expressed happiness that content-driven cinema is gaining prominence. Joshi and Agnihotri made a conscious decision to create their kind of films, focusing on subjects that interest them, rather than depending on others.

Joshi's production company is currently working on The Delhi Files, which will be the last of their trilogy. This film is still in the research phase, with Joshi noting the massive scope of the subject matter. She also mentioned that she has stopped receiving acting offers from outside her production house in the last few years but has no complaints. She remains focused on creating meaningful cinema with her husband.

Recently, The Bengal Files, a film produced by Joshi and directed by Agnihotri, has faced release hurdles in West Bengal, with multiple multiplex chains allegedly refusing to screen the film. Joshi has appealed to the President of India, requesting intervention to ensure the film's release.

In related news, Joshi praised her co-star Namashi Chakraborty in The Bengal Files, noting his dedication to the role and his willingness to surrender to the director's vision. She observed that he has "Yogeeta's soul in Mithun da's structure," highlighting his grounded nature and strong work ethic. The Bengal Files is slated to release in theaters on September 5.