Is Abhishek Banerjee’s ‘Stolen’ India’s Bold Response to Genre-Driven Filmmaking?

Mumbai, May 28 (NationPress) The creators of “Stolen” have just released an intense trailer for their upcoming film, which actor Abhishek Banerjee describes as India’s bold response to raw and genre-driven filmmaking.

Discussing the film, Abhishek expressed, “‘Stolen’ is India’s bold answer to raw, genre-driven filmmaking. The moment I heard its captivating story, I knew I had to take the wheel—much like my character, Gautam. Karan Tejpal, our director, is among the most exciting new talents I’ve encountered. He’s destined for greatness, and I eagerly anticipate the world witnessing his skills.”

“Our producer, Gaurav Dhingra, embodies a deep passion for quality storytelling—we need more visionaries like him in the industry.”

The trailer begins with a heart-wrenching scene where a baby is forcefully taken from her mother, Jhumpa, portrayed by Mia Maelzer, while she dozes at an isolated railway station. This triggers an unyielding chase as brothers Raman and Gautam, played by Shubham Vardhan and Abhishek Banerjee respectively, team up with Jhumpa to traverse perilous paths in search of the lost child.

In the remote areas of India, where hostile locals threaten their safety, their quest turns into a desperate fight for survival.

Directed by Karan Tejpal and co-written by Tejpal, Dhingra, and Swapnil Salkar - Agadbumb, Stolen also features Harish Khanna, Mia Maelzer, Sahidur Rahaman, and Shubham Vardhan.

With executive producers including Anurag Kashyap, Kiran Rao, Nikkhil Advani, and Vikramaditya Motwane, and produced by Gaurav Dhingra, Stolen is a production of Jungle Book Studio.

“With Stolen, I aimed to narrate a raw and genuine tale of two contrasting worlds colliding in unforeseen ways,” said director Karan Tejpal.

He further noted, “On the surface, Stolen presents itself as a gripping action thriller—yet its emotional resonance builds subtly, lingering long after the credits roll. Set against a harsh, rugged backdrop, the film is enlivened by powerful performances from Abhishek, Mia, and Shubham.

“The journey thus far has been immensely fulfilling, with a remarkable response from international film festivals that has been both humbling and inspiring. The backing of visionary filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, Kiran Rao, Nikkhil Advani, and Vikramaditya Motwane has only reinforced my creative resolve.”

Actor Mia Maelzer remarked that Stolen has been a significant journey for her as a performer.

“Karan Tejpal’s vision and sensitivity as a director fostered an environment where authenticity could genuinely thrive, guiding us to capture the rawness and depth the narrative demands. Playing Jhumpa involved exploring a character rich in complexity and emotional nuances, a challenge that expanded my horizons.

The film’s strong reception at festivals has been incredibly motivating, and I’m ecstatic that Prime Video is assisting this distinctive story in reaching a global audience.”

“When I first encountered the script of Stolen, it resonated deeply with me,” said actor Shubham Vardhan.

He mentioned that embodying Raman posed a challenge that was “subtle yet profound.”

“In every significant aspect. There exists a profound emotional undertone within him, and capturing that was both taxing and deeply gratifying. Collaborating with Karan was an incredible experience; his clear vision and trust in his actors created an atmosphere where we could truly delve deep.”

Stolen is set to debut exclusively on Prime Video on June 4.