Putting an end to various speculations, the makers of Kiara Advani's and Aditya Seal's Indoo Ki Jawani announced its theatrical release. The rom-com revolving around Indira Gupta aka Indoo from Ghaziabad will release in theatres on December 11. The Abir Sengupta directorial is the second new film to release in theatres amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as the film is inching closer to the release, Abir sat down for an interview with PeepingMoon.

During the interview with PeepingMoon, Abir, who was the writer of the popular and one of the longest-running shows CID, spoke about what inspired him to make a film on dating apps. Stating that a clash with Bhumi Pednekar's Durgamati and Sanjay Dutt's Torbaaz doesn't affect him, Abir hoped Indoo Ki Jawani draws an audience back to theatres. 

Excerpts from the interview: 

What inspired you to make Indoo Ki Jawani?

I was meeting a lot of people who were using dating apps. I know someone who got married through a dating app. I thought it is very fascinating to find somebody who is a complete stranger. Dating apps can make for magical and beautiful love stories. I felt a dating app can be an interesting tool to develop a story. That’s when I wrote the film which is about a girl who embarks on an adventure due to an app. 

Is Kiara Advani your first choice for the role?

Absolutely. I wanted someone who can look aspirational and relatable at the same time. Kiara is very beautiful and aspirational. At the same time, she brings a girl-next-door vibe to the table. When I saw her in M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Lust Stories, she transformed into her characters effortlessly. In Kabir Singh, she becomes Preeti and doesn’t remain Kiara Advani. I was looking for someone who can become Indoo since the film is character-oriented. It is about Indoo, her world and I wanted someone who can become her. 

Do you feel Indoo Ki Jawani can become a mini-series?

I don’t think so. This is a film, only a franchise can do justice to it and not a series. I don’t see it becoming a mini-series.

Are you planning to turn Indoo Ki Jawani into a franchise?

I wish I can. 

Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari received low footfall in theatres. Do you think the audience isn’t ready to watch a film in the cinema halls? 

I feel any film that releases in theatres has different reasons to draw an audience. Even before the pandemic when theatres were fully open with 100% capacity, there were films people didn’t watch. Of course, the pandemic is one reason as people are scared to go to the theatres and there is only 50% occupancy. At the same time, we can’t be like, ‘sheher ke saare signals green ho tabhi gaadi bahar nikale’. We have to release films. Theatre owners are taking adequate measures to keep people safe. When the nation was unlocked, people didn’t step out of the house at once. It happened in phases. We are currently in a transition period. Once the vaccine comes, people will visit theatres. 

I wouldn’t say nobody watched Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari. There are various reasons for low footfall. At least I am very happy that the producers took the step to release the film in the theatres. People working in theatres are dependent on films for their income. If we won’t release them, it will affect them. Also, if films aren’t released, people won’t know that theatres are safe. To inform them, there should be enough films. 

Do you think Indoo Ki Jawani will draw an audience to theatres?

I really wish Indoo Ki Jawani brings back the audience to theatres. 

Are you worried that people will create a new controversy over the Pakistani character in Indoo Ki Jawani?

When people will watch the film, they will realise that it is a fun and nice entertainer. It has nothing to do with any propaganda.  

Indoo Ki Jawani is clashing with Durgamati and Torbaaz, both OTT releases. Are you nervous?

I don’t think in this direction. Had it been a normal Friday, 5 other films would have been released.