Abhishek Banerjee REACTS To Stolen Being Tagged 'Disturbing', Says 'Even Final Destination Is...' | EXCLUSIVE

Abhishek Banerjee cannot stop gushing over the reviews his latest movie Stolen has received. Despite having an OTT release, the movie has managed to grab the attention of cinephiles, who are launding the storytelling and performances, with many calling it Abhishek's best performance so far.

Stolen is inspired by the real-life crowd lynching incident from 2018 in Karbi Anglong, Assam. The film follows two brothers who get embroiled with a tribal woman in a misinformed case of a stolen baby after a WhatsApp forwarded video provokes a mob against them. Critics have called the movie edge of the seat thriller which is relevant, eye-opening yet brutal and disturbing.

Abhishek, who plays one of the brothers and the lead pritagonist, spoke to Zoom and exclusively shared why Stolen, despite being "disturbing" it isn't scary to watch.

"With disturbing, people often think they won't be able to watch it. We've seen blood, gore onscreen. But we knew what we were showing and we wanted a thrilling experience. Sometimes that thrill becomes so much to handle, that it gets lost in translation about how gut wrenching and disturbing it is. But even Final Destination is disturbing. Since that is commercial, people are not scared to watch it. That is what I'm tying to tell people that Stolen is not a scary watch," the actor shared.

Abhishek, known for potboilers like Stree, Bhediya and Dream Girl, has also been part of darker plots like Pataal Lok, Apurva, Vedaa, Bhonsle and Rana Naidu. He however said his love for "masala" movies will always remain. Speaking on his inclination towards either commercial content, or cinema that's haunting like Stolen, the actor explained, "I want to make the raw gritty into masala films. I love masala, I'm a very commercial actor. Had I not been one, I would've never been part of commercial cinema, because I stared with Ajji. I like the audience reaction in the theatre to the masala films with that reach. That calling is always there. So I can't deny that calling for my films to have that response."

Abhishek has over the years found a strong footing in the entertainment industry. So has it made him proud of his achievements or more grounded? He replied, "I always ask myself am I egoistically proud about it or am I arrogant? When your work gets such kind of response, you become more sure about certain things. And then a combat advice comes to self that do not at any point leave the honesty. That has helped me reach such projects, where I have given my heart and soul, probably more than I can give to my lover. My relationship with cinema is very personal."

Stolen has been directed by Karan Tejpal, and also stars Mia Maelzer and Shubham Vardhan.