Gaurav Solanki, the writer behind Anubhav Sinha's upcoming courtroom drama "Assi," is making headlines for a reason that extends beyond the film's intriguing plot: he is the highest-paid crew member on the project. This unprecedented move is being hailed as a landmark moment for the Hindi film industry, signaling a potential shift in how writers are valued and compensated.
The news first surfaced with the release of "Assi"'s initial poster, which boldly declared, "Believe it or not, the highest paid crew member on this film is the writer". This unconventional marketing strategy immediately sparked curiosity and generated buzz around the film and its writer.
Solanki himself learned about his industry-leading remuneration only recently and has chosen not to disclose the exact amount. However, he expressed his pride and happiness, viewing it as a new benchmark for Hindi cinema. "I believe it sets a new benchmark in Hindi cinema, and I feel happy and proud that this has happened," Solanki told PTI in an interview. He further emphasized that it's not just about the money but about the respect that was long overdue for writers in the industry. "It is not just about money; it is about respect that was long overdue," he stated.
Solanki sees this recognition as a positive sign for the entire writing community, emphasizing the foundational role of the script in filmmaking. "So it is definitely a good thing for the entire writers' community because the script is the backbone of a film," he noted. He articulated that every film, irrespective of its scale, originates from a story on paper. "Whether it is a big tentpole movie or a smaller-budget film, everything begins as a story on a plain white sheet of paper," Solanki explained. In his view, "Assi" makes a strong statement that writers and scripts deserve the respect they are due, particularly in content-driven cinema.
In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Solanki discussed the marketing campaign for "Assi," noting how it successfully drew attention to the film's writing. Solanki mentioned that the makers of "Assi" had immense confidence in the film and believed that the story and title were of utmost importance.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, "Assi" stars Taapsee Pannu and features Kani Kusruti, Revathy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Zeeshan Ayyub, with special appearances by Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, and Seema Bhargava. The film is described as an investigative thriller and courtroom drama revolving around the aftermath of an assault on a workaholic woman. It explores the profound impact of such an event on her life, as well as the lives of the accused, and examines the functioning of the justice system. "It's an investigative thriller and a courtroom drama around that," Solanki said about the film's plot. The film is slated to release on February 20.
Gaurav Solanki, an IIT Roorkee graduate from Sangaria, Rajasthan, has established himself as a prominent writer, poet, screenwriter, and lyricist. He is known for his work in "Article 15" (2019) and the web series "Tandav" (2021). He has also penned lyrics for films like "Ugly," "Daas Dev," and "Veere Di Wedding".
Solanki's journey to becoming the highest-paid writer in "Assi" reflects a growing recognition of the vital role writers play in shaping compelling narratives and driving the success of films.