Dibakar Banerjee's unreleased Netflix movie 'Tees' has left him 'helpless'
What's the story
Acclaimed filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee is in the news these days due to his recently released film Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2, which was released on April 19. While Banerjee has been receiving praise for his unapologetic and unfiltered filmmaking, he is also grappling with the disappointment of his unreleased Netflix movie, Tees. In a conversation with Mid-Day, he spoke about how the uncertain future of the film has disturbed his mental health.
Emotional toll
Banerjee has been open about the emotional toll
Banerjee told the portal, "It's definitely not easy to go on, keeping aside the project I gave my all to. Your therapist bills go up a lot when the sense of repression, rage, anger, and absolute helplessness catch you, and you have to still plod on through the day." The film, a multi-generational family saga exploring India's "personal, ideological, and sexual history," was initially set for a 2022 Netflix release. However, the streaming giant decided against it.
New possibilities
'This was supposed to happen'
Recalling his discussion with Netflix, he added, "In 2022, [the officials at] Netflix said, 'Looking at the times around us, we don't think it would be correct to release this film.' They owned the film. They paid me fully. So, they can do whatever they want." "Between oligarchy of distribution, OTT platforms, retail outlets, all the companies that disburse content today, and a state that's anxiously trying to curtail the expression of diversity of thought, this was supposed to happen."
Career
Meanwhile, take a look at his career and projects
Banerjee is known for his courageous narratives and politically and socially volatile cinema. Ever since his debut with Khosla Ka Ghosla! in 2006, he has gifted Bollywood with projects such as Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Bombay Talkies, and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, among others. While the commercial reception of these movies has varied, he has mostly been a critics' favorite.