From Despair to Director: The Journey of Karan Tejpal with 'Stolen'

Karan Tejpal nearly abandoned his directorial ambition before creating the critically-acclaimed film 'Stolen,' inspired by real-life events. It tells the story of two privileged brothers confronting social disparities after a tribal woman's baby is abducted. The film has garnered international attention and significant industry support.


Devdiscourse News Desk | New Delhi | Updated: 16-06-2025 19:40 IST | Created: 16-06-2025 19:40 IST
From Despair to Director: The Journey of Karan Tejpal with 'Stolen'
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Karan Tejpal was on the brink of abandoning his dream of becoming a director when inspiration struck. The filmmaker, who previously assisted on productions like '3 Idiots', crafted 'Stolen,' a film exploring privilege through the lens of two brothers confronted with a baby's abduction at a small-town railway station.

The story, inspired by a real incident, subtly addresses social disparities converging on one compelling narrative. After its debut at the Venice Film Festival, 'Stolen' made rounds at several international festivals. Produced and co-written by Gaurav Dhingra, it features notable actors such as Abhishek Banerjee and Shubham.

Tejpal views storytelling as an art of finding the 'heart' in narratives, emphasizing personal connection. Despite pandemic-imposed delays, 'Stolen' premiered successfully, with support from industry veterans like Anurag Kashyap. Tejpal reflects on the film's journey with gratitude, considering it a transformative milestone in his career.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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