Dinesh Vijan on why story comes before star power

For Dinesh Vijan, founder of Maddock Films, the most important decision in filmmaking is choosing the right story. Speaking at FICCI Frames 2026, Vijan said the production house prioritises authenticity and stories that resonate with Indian audiences over commercial calculations or star power.

“The most important decision I take at Maddock is which story to tell,” Vijan said, describing the process as largely instinctive rather than driven by a predetermined formula. A story, he explained, should leave a producer convinced that it needs to be made.

Vijan said an authentic voice and relevance to India form the starting point for evaluating a project. The next step is finding a director who understands the material and can translate it to the screen. Getting these elements right, he added, is essential before a film moves into production.

Writers before stars

Vijan described Maddock Films as a home for storytellers, irrespective of their geographical background, who rely on the strength of their narratives rather than the drawing power of established stars.

“For us, our writers are our first stars. Our directors are the second in command,” he said, adding that actors come after the story and its creative vision.

The producer said this approach has shaped the company's filmmaking philosophy, allowing it to work across genres rather than become associated with a particular category. He recalled an instance when his team was excited by a YouTube comment describing a trailer as a “Maddock kind of film”. While the team saw it as recognition, Vijan worried that such a label could restrict the company's creative choices.

He said the studio did not want to be confined to comedies or horror-comedies, emphasising that its genre choices should emerge organically from the stories it wants to tell.

Backing stories beyond production

Vijan also highlighted the importance of a producer's involvement beyond financing a film. This includes decisions around music, distribution, marketing and packaging, all of which can influence how widely a film reaches its intended audience.

Actor Rajkummar Rao, who has worked with Vijan on several projects, said producers and studios play a crucial role in ensuring films reach audiences beyond their immediate markets. He cited Maddock's willingness to invest in music and promotion as examples of the backing that can help a film find its audience.

Vijan said Maddock's evolution into a studio was driven partly by the desire to exercise greater control over the filmmaking and distribution pipeline. Having the ability to fund production and promotion, he said, gives the company greater flexibility to support projects it believes in.

Authenticity over formulas

For Vijan, the test of a film ultimately lies in its ability to hold an audience's attention. In an increasingly crowded entertainment landscape, he said, filmmakers need to create memorable moments that draw viewers into the story.

His approach rests on a simple principle of choosing a story worth telling, finding the right creative team and backing the project with conviction.