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AVS Studios Head Abishek S Vyas On How Films & Web Series Can Stand Out In Today's Crowded Ecosytem- EXCLUSIVE
What makes a film or a web series stand out at a time when audience's retention and interest levels have gone down and the content environment is more crowded than before? Abishek S Vyas shared his insights on the same in a detailed conversation with Filmibeat. We promised to share the second part of the interview, and here we are. We apologise for the delay.
Here are excerpts from the interview-
1- You've been closely involved in content strategy and acquisitions in your earlier roles. As a founder now, how different is it to greenlight your own projects versus evaluating them for a platform?
The shift is both liberating and sobering.
When you are evaluating projects for a platform, you are thinking within a defined framework. You are asking: Does this align with our brand? Does it fit our subscriber strategy? Does it serve a demographic gap? You are looking at data, performance history, regional mix and portfolio balance. It is analytical and strategic.
As a founder, the question changes. It becomes: Do I believe in this enough to put my own reputation and capital behind it? That creates a different level of accountability.
Greenlighting your own project requires a blend of instinct and discipline. You cannot rely only on creative excitement. You have to consider financing structures, distribution pathways, international sales potential, risk diversification and long-term IP value. At AVS, every project is evaluated not just as content, but as a cultural asset.
The biggest difference is ownership of consequence. If a platform commission underperforms, it affects a slate. If a founder backs the wrong project, it affects the company's trajectory. That sharpens your decision-making.
2- What kind of filmmakers and creators are you looking to collaborate with at AVS: emerging voices, established directors, or a mix of both?
It is definitely a mix.
Established directors bring experience, discipline and an understanding of scale. They know how to handle pressure, manage teams and deliver within structured timelines. Collaborating with them allows us to build projects with larger ambition and global positioning.
At the same time, emerging voices are incredibly important. Some of the most original storytelling today is coming from first or second-time filmmakers who are not burdened by formula. They are experimenting with tone, structure and subject matter in ways that feel fresh.
At AVS, what matters most to me is clarity of voice. I look for creators who understand why they want to tell a story, not just what story they want to tell. I am also interested in filmmakers who are open to collaboration. Cinema is not a solitary art. It is a highly collaborative business.
We are building AVS as a long-term home for creators. That means nurturing relationships, not just producing one-off projects.
3- With audiences becoming more discerning, what do you think makes a film or series truly stand out in today's crowded content environment?
Clarity and conviction. Today's audience has access to content from every corner of the world. That means average is no longer enough. A film or series stands out when it knows exactly what it wants to be.
Strong writing is non-negotiable. No amount of star power or marketing can compensate for weak storytelling. Audiences are quick to disengage if characters feel inauthentic or conflicts feel forced.
Secondly, authenticity matters. Whether it is a small town drama or a global thriller, viewers can sense when something is designed purely to follow a trend. Finally, emotional resonance is key. Technology and scale are important, but what stays with audiences is how a story made them feel. The projects that endure are those that create a genuine emotional imprint.
In a crowded ecosystem, differentiation comes from depth, not noise.
4- Your journey from playing squash at a national level to leading a multi-vertical entertainment company is inspiring. Has sport influenced how you approach risk-taking and long-term vision in filmmaking?
Absolutely. Sport teaches you discipline before it teaches you victory. Playing squash at a national level meant early mornings, repetitive training and constant self-evaluation. You learn that improvement is incremental and that consistency matters more than occasional brilliance.
In filmmaking and entrepreneurship, the same principles apply. Not every project will succeed. Not every decision will be perfect. What matters is resilience and the ability to adapt without losing focus.
Sport also shapes your relationship with risk. In a match, you constantly evaluate when to attack and when to defend. In business, you decide when to take bold, creative bets and when to build stable, predictable assets.
Perhaps most importantly, sport instils respect for long-term vision. Championships are not won in a day. Companies are not built in a year. AVS is structured with that mindset. We are building patiently, strategically and sustainably.
5- Looking ahead, what can audiences expect from AVS in the next couple of years? Are there specific genres or formats you are particularly excited to explore?
The next few years are about consolidation and expansion. On the film front, we are exploring a mix of premium theatrical projects and globally positioned long-form series. I am particularly excited about stories that combine strong character arcs with ambitious world-building. Genres like high-concept drama, grounded thrillers, and culturally rooted narratives with international appeal are areas of focus.
We are also investing more deeply in cultural IP development through curated collaborations, immersive storytelling formats and thoughtfully designed brand partnerships. Audio is another space of interest. Sound-based storytelling is resurging in powerful ways, and we see potential in narrative podcasts and premium audio properties that can later evolve into visual formats.
Overall, audiences can expect AVS to build carefully curated, high-quality projects rather than chasing volume. Our goal is not to be the loudest player in the market, but to be one of the most thoughtful and culturally relevant.
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