From Rejection to Blockbuster: Producer Dinesh Vijan Opens Up on 'Stree' and 'Ikkis' Success
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Mumbai: Producer Dinesh Vijan is on cloud nine, thanks to the incredible success of his films like 'Stree' and 'Chhaava'. The producer, who has backed movies like 'Cocktail', 'Badlapur', and 'Hindi Medium' under his banner Maddock Films, says the past three years have been a dream come true. Vijan's film 'Stree', which was based on the urban legend of 'Nale Ba', became the top Hindi film in 2018. The horror-comedy, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, was directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Vijan and Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. The film's sequel, released in 2024, was a massive commercial success, earning over ₹500 crore nett at the domestic box office. Vijan attributes his success to the flexibility to take risks and tell daring stories. His upcoming film 'Mahavatar', featuring Vicky Kaushal, is based on the life of Chiranjeevi Parashurama, the eternal warrior of dharma. The producer believes that telling stories that highlight India's culture and people is crucial to preserving its heritage. His latest project, 'Ikkis', directed by Sriram Raghavan, is based on the life of the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, Arun Khetarpal. The film stars Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat, late Dharmendra, Sikander Kher, and Simar Bhatia. Vijan is hopeful that audiences will warm up to the movie, which is set to release theatrically on January 1, 2026. Vijan emphasizes that the key to producing a successful film is to tell a story that resonates with him. For 'Ikkis', he wanted to explore the futility of war from a family's perspective. The producer had a great experience working with Raghavan, calling him a 'crazy storyteller' who weaves an amazing narrative. Vijan believes that 'Ikkis' is one of his best movies, and he is confident that audiences will appreciate its unique storytelling. He has already shown the film to industry experts, including Pritam, who was deeply moved by the movie. Vijan's dedication to telling stories that matter is evident in his work, and he is excited to see how audiences respond to his upcoming projects.
