Filmmaker's YRF deal shelved after 3 years, career questioned

Devashish Makhija, now over 40, has reflected on a significant early career setback. At 27, he signed a lucrative three-film deal with Yash Raj Films (YRF), a moment he considered a major career breakthrough. However, the first project, an animated film intended to follow 'Roadside Romeo,' was ultimately shelved.

This shelving occurred because the production of Makhija's film was contingent on the box office success of 'Roadside Romeo,' a collaboration between YRF and Walt Disney. When 'Roadside Romeo' failed commercially, Makhija's animated project, on which he had already spent three years in production, was canceled. He described it as potentially the first film ever shelved at YRF.

Following this disappointment, Makhija chose to walk away from the remaining deal, dedicating three years to the shelved project. He then traveled extensively, focusing his research on Adivasi communities in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh, experiences that later informed his film 'Joram.'

Makhija also recounted his difficult entry into Mumbai in the 1990s with minimal funds, even sleeping at Goregaon railway station. His persistence in contacting directors eventually led to an opportunity with Anurag Kashyap for 'Black Friday,' followed by assisting Shaad Ali on 'Bunty Aur Babli.'

His filmography includes 'Ajji' (2017), 'Bhonsle' (2018), and 'Joram' (2023). His most recent directorial, 'Gandhari,' marked a departure as he directed a film based on Kanika Dhillon's script. Makhija has been candid about ongoing financial difficulties, stating in 2024 that he was bankrupt after 'Joram's' poor box office performance, earning only Rs 16 lakh on a Rs 1 crore budget.