From Fashion to Film: Manish Malhotra's Cinema Path with Stage 5 Films | THR Roundtable

Fashion designer turned film producer Manish Malhotra sits down with The Hollywood Reporter India alongside Shabana Azmi, Divyenndu, Abhay Deol, Vijay Varma, and Fatima Sana Shaikh to discuss his ambitious new venture, Stage 5 Films. Manish reveals his intentional decision to produce "unexpected" content that defies what people would traditionally expect from his brand, including three diverse projects: the thriller Saali Mohabbat, the LGBTQ+ drama Bun Tikki, and the romantic film Gustakh.

The conversation explores Manish's transition from the fashion world to independent film production, his collaborative approach with debut directors, and his commitment to theatrical releases in an increasingly streaming-dominated landscape. The panel discusses the challenges facing mid-budget, content-driven cinema and the importance of supporting intimate storytelling. Shabana and Zeenat share their experience reuniting after decades for Bun Tikki, while Vijay and Fatima discuss embodying old-school romance in Gustaakh Ishq. The roundtable emphasizes the need for more independent producers willing to take creative risks and support quality filmmaking.