Vishal Malhotra, who shared the screen with Shahid Kapoor in the 2003 film "Ishq Vishk," has carved an unconventional path in the entertainment industry and beyond. While many remember him as one of the fresh faces introduced in the Ken Ghosh directorial, Malhotra's journey took him through various unexpected turns, including selling toilet paper and ultimately becoming the first Indian actor to fund a film by selling NFTs.
Malhotra's initial foray into the limelight began long before his Bollywood debut. Around 30 years ago, a chance encounter led him to become the face of Disney in India for a decade. This early exposure paved the way for roles in films like "Jannat" and "Kismat Konnection," before landing him the role in "Ishq Vishk". However, Malhotra found himself at a crossroads when filmmakers consistently offered him similar roles, often typecasting him as the hero's friend. When he sought more substantial characters, his requests were met with rejection.
Frustrated by the limited opportunities, Malhotra made a bold decision to step away from Bollywood at his peak. He ventured into the business world, opening his own ad agency and collaborating with major retailers like Reliance, selling paper products ranging from tissue paper to toilet rolls.
Despite his entrepreneurial success, Malhotra's passion for the creative arts remained. He found a new avenue for expression in the world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). "It excited me that NFTs gave the rights back to the creator," Malhotra explained. "I never owned any right to the films I was in; it didn't belong to me". This realization led him to delve into NFTs, becoming the first Indian actor to create and sell his own NFTs.
Malhotra's entry into the NFT space proved to be a game-changer. When rumors of a potential cryptocurrency ban in India surfaced, heeding the advice of others, Malhotra sold his NFTs. The proceeds from these sales provided him with the "pocket change" he needed to write, produce, and direct his first feature film, "Ilm".
"Ilm," meaning "knowledge" in Urdu, is about an 11-year-old orphaned boy who lives with his grandmother and is a gifted artist. What makes this film particularly unique is that it became the world's first film entirely funded by NFTs. Malhotra merged his interest in film and NFTs to create funding by selling NFTs and using that money to make the film. The film's NFTs were minted on the Ethereum blockchain. Even the original soundtrack of the movie was sold as an NFT.
Malhotra's innovative approach to filmmaking has garnered significant attention. Over 40% of the film passes were sold out within 3-4 days of their launch. A substantial portion of the profits made via broadcasting the short feature film will also go to its film crew. The money made from a retro poster NFT released by Malhotra in February was handed out to the film's casual staff.
Vishal Malhotra's journey is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit. From selling toilet paper to pioneering NFT film funding, he has defied expectations and carved a unique path for himself in the entertainment industry. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers and artists looking for alternative ways to bring their creative visions to life.
