Phoolan Devi film: Richie Mehta explains decision to direct Amazon Original project

Filmmaker Richie Mehta says he initially resisted directing a film about Phoolan Devi, but agreed after years of discussions following Delhi Crime. The Amazon Original draws on rights to Devi’s autobiography and centres on a 48-hour siege involving 2,000 armed men, according to the official synopsis.

Filmmaker Richie Mehta said a new film on Phoolan Devi moved ahead after years of doubt. Mehta said the project began after the team behind it secured rights. The film, titled Phoolan, is being made as an Amazon Original. Mehta also described the story focus and the partnership with Prime Video.

Mehta said Kanwal, Kishore and Shareen first raised the idea after Delhi Crime, seven years ago. Mehta said the group had acquired the rights to Phoolan Devi’s autobiography. They told Mehta, "We think youre the right person to tell this story.\" Mehta said the reply was, \"I said, I think youre wrong,\".

Phoolan film and Phoolan Devi story details

Mehta said the conversation continued for five years before the approach changed. Mehta said the producers kept returning to the same view. Mehta recalled, \"We went back and forth for five years about this and they persisted and said its you,\". Mehta said the decision shifted only after a later realisation.

Mehta said the turning point came a year and a half ago. Mehta said a clearer way to frame the story for cinema came into focus then. Mehta explained, \"A year and a half ago, I realized, I think I know how to tell this in the context of the film. I pitched it to them and they said, absolutely, lets go and here we are,\".

The official synopsis sets the plot during a siege in the Chambal region. \"Phoolan: Trapped and outnumbered by 2,000 armed men, Phoolan Devi fights a brutal 48-hour siege that will either end her life - or rewrite the rules of a mans world,\" it said. Phoolan Devi is described as a feared dacoit who later entered politics.

Phoolan Amazon Original and Prime Video collaboration

Mehta said the film is an Amazon Original and noted positive experience with the platform. Mehta said the working relationship allowed creative freedom. \"Ive never felt in my life more empowered to express everything thats in my heart about a subject. Because of you Prime video and because of the team here,\" Mehta said. Mehta previously worked with the streamer on Poacher.

The producers named for the film are Richie Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, and Kanwal Kohli. Mehta said the project reached production after a long development period. The film’s focus remains on the siege described in the synopsis, and it is being developed under the Amazon Original banner.

With inputs from PTI