Popcorn Flicks: A Quest to Showcase Young Talents in Films

Popcorn Flicks, a premier Indian film production powerhouse, excels in producing, distributing, and marketing films and content on a global scale. With a remarkable portfolio of over 25 feature films and 100 short films, Popcorn Flicks’ productions have captivated audiences at prestigious venues such as the Cannes Film Festival, as well as numerous national and international film festivals. Their reach extends to city-square screenings across Europe, Asia, and Africa, engaging a global audience of over one billion.

In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Amit R Agarwal, Founder and CEO of Popcorn Flicks, offers valuable insights into the acquisition and nurturing of young talent in India. He discusses the societal issues his films address, the audience’s response, and the crucial support provided by parents, society, and the government in fostering new talent. Here are the key takeaways from his interview.

Q: Can you share your approach to talent nurturing and talent acquisition in the country, particularly focusing on young children?

A: When I relocated from Bombay to Delhi during the pandemic, several parents approached me with a request: they wanted a platform for their children to showcase their talent. It quickly became apparent to me that there was a significant gap between the available talent and the platforms to display it.

When I refer to talent platforms, I’m not talking about small-scale shows held in auditoriums. I mean opportunities for talent to be seen on television, OTT platforms, in cinemas, and at top film festivals worldwide. This realization led to the creation of a structured initiative called Talent Ka Maha Utsav.

We launched the pre-season of Talent Ka Maha Utsav on November 14, 2023, coinciding with Children’s Day. As part of this launch, we produced seven films addressing various societal issues. Our goal is to create impactful mission-driven films featuring children and to establish a powerful platform where young talent can truly shine.

Q: What key issues have you advocated to date?

A: To date, we have addressed critical issues such as climate change, energy and water conservation, equality, inclusiveness in society, and, most importantly, cleanliness. Cleanliness remains a significant concern, despite being championed by both the Prime Minister of India and Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Yet, we continue to see waste scattered across the country. This inspired me to engage children in promoting this cause.

We created a film titled Garbage to spotlight this issue. In May, we presented this film at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the world’s largest cinematic event. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Now, rather than limiting our efforts to a small talent showcase, I aim to reach a global audience. We began this journey in the United States, where we connected with various events at Times Square during the pre-season. The Deputy Commissioner of New York, Mr. Dilip Chauhan, extended his support and offered words of encouragement, assuring us that his office would remain open for future collaborations. When we return to New York, we plan to meet him with the standout talents from Season 1.

My filmography includes The Real Pandemic, Garbage, Climate, Smile, and Water. These films, though simple, convey powerful social messages through the innocence of children. For instance, a recent survey revealed that approximately 75% of Indian men leave the water running while shaving. Imagine the immense water wastage if someone shaves five days a week. In one of our films, a child quietly steps in and turns off the faucet while an adult is shaving. This simplicity effectively underscores the importance of conservation. All our films aim to deliver impactful social messages through relatable, everyday scenarios.

Q: How has the response been so far?

A: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Currently, we are operating on a smaller scale, limited to Ghaziabad. However, with Season 1, we are expanding our reach to the entire NCR region. In Season 2, we will extend our presence across India, and by Season 3, we aim to go global. Our format is hybrid.

We offer physical editions where audiences can experience the talent live in the auditorium. Additionally, our online shows are accessible across multiple platforms. I’m also set to launch my own channel on one of India’s largest platforms, making our content available to everyone.

Q: Could you elaborate on the types of support—whether from society, parents, or government policies—that are available to help young children showcase and nurture their talents?

A: When I searched for structured support for my talent platform, I found nothing concrete. In today’s world, if you’re not on Google, you essentially don’t exist. However, when I looked for government support for talent platforms, the results were sparse. In contrast, a simple search for film or talent support in countries like France or the USA yields thousands of resources.

This highlights a critical gap—we need a structured, accessible support system that appears prominently in Google search results. It should be the first thing that comes up. Yet, I’m not asking for government funding. On the contrary, I want to assist the government. As Prime Minister Modi rightly pointed out, India’s population of 1.4 billion is an asset brimming with untapped talent.

However, many people lack a proper platform to showcase their abilities. This brings me to an important observation. When I mentioned to my 75-year-old aunt that I’m launching a talent platform for kids, she asked, “Amit, don’t you think we, too, have talent? Why not launch a beauty pageant for us?” Her words struck me. We see numerous beauty pageants for younger women, but nothing for older individuals. Why not have a Mr. or Mrs. India pageant for the 75-year-old with a dashing personality and immense talent?

Inspired by this, I expanded the talent platform to embrace all ages and types of talent. I was pleasantly surprised when, during a film screening in Switzerland, a Swiss woman approached me with her talented grandson, asking if we could showcase his abilities. This global outreach, even before the official launch of our third season, affirms the platform’s broad appeal and the need for such inclusive opportunities.