For our second episode, I dove into a different business: the highly creative, high-risk world of cinema. I was thrilled to host a true veteran of the Kannada film industry: writer, director, and lyricist. filmmaker Amarnath S.V. He has three commercially successful films to his credit. Therefore, Amarnath is one of the few who truly knows how to make commercially successful movies.
1. The Core Mission: Business and Art
Before diving into Amarnath’s insights, I want to reiterate the mission of this podcast. As I wrote in the piece about my self-doubt and the launch of the first episode, this show explores the messy, uncertain, human side of entrepreneurship. It focuses on the resilience and grit often hidden behind the metrics.
The film industry, more than any other, epitomizes that high-stakes blend of creativity and commerce. This synergy is exactly why Amarnath S.V. was the perfect guest. We explored the strategic mindset required to navigate industry risks and build a successful commercial legacy.
2. From Passion Project to Commercial Product
The silver screen’s glamour often overshadows the hard business decisions happening behind the scenes. In this episode, Amarnath S.V. pulled back the curtain. He urged us to view a film not just as a creative passion project, but as a strategic commercial product.
He stressed that success isn’t just about having a great story. Instead, it requires treating the entire filmmaking process as a focused business operation—from script to screen. Ultimately, this conversation gave me a vital lesson in market dynamics, audience connection, and balancing creative vision with financial viability.
3. The Director’s Humanistic Compass
We dug deeper than just metrics, staying true to the Business Giseness mission. Amarnath shared a powerful philosophy that resonated deeply: a director needs a deep-seated humanistic perspective (manavathavada).
Furthermore, he passionately argued that a filmmaker cannot be limited by language or regional barriers. Their work must be guided by a universal concern for humanity, embodying the ideal of “Manoojamata, Vishwapathe.” According to Amarnath, this universal perspective is the secret weapon for creating stories that truly appeal to a mass audience.
4. An Unfiltered Look at Industry Trust
The episode packs fascinating, untold industry anecdotes. For example, we share a great story about how celebrated lyricist Kinnal Raj unexpectedly directed a film.
Amarnath also offered a rare, unfiltered take on the relationship between directors and producers. He challenged the common narrative that producers always cause financial trouble. In fact, he shared a veteran’s perspective that sometimes the ethical pitfalls lie closer to the creative teams. This served as a crucial reminder about personal accountability in any high-stakes business.
Ready to Learn the Blueprint?
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion project into a profitable venture—a film or a small business—this episode offers a unique blueprint. I confidently believe you’ll walk away with a much richer understanding of the strategic professionals who make the silver screen sparkle. Don’t miss Amarnath S.V.’s powerful insights on Episode 2 of the Business Giseness Podcast.
