Director Vivek Daschaudary On Working With Friend Rajkummar Rao, Success Of Netflix's Toaster & More-EXCLUSIVE

Toaster Exclusive: Netflix delivered a surprise package in the form of Toaster as the film offered hatke content for the viewers, grabbing eyeballs from all corners. Did you know who came up with the script for the black comedy thriller?

In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Assistant Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Vivek Daschaudary got candid about the success of Toaster, working With Rajkummar Rao, Patralekhaa and how Indian cinema can go global. It was his directorial debut in a feature film, and hence, Toaster is extra special for Vivek.

From sharing his experience on working with friends to revealing his upcoming plans, the storyteller bared his heart out in a fun-filled interview.

I Don't Want to Waste Time After Toaster: The Man With A Plan

Fresh off the success of Toaster, Vivek Daschaudary says he is already looking ahead.

"I felt happy and good about the success, but now I really want to move forward fast and not waste time," he shared. "I'm trying to work on my next subjects and figure out what can be done next."

Rajkummar Rao Came With The Script

The filmmaker revealed that the idea for Toaster was actually brought to him by Rajkummar Rao, who wanted the project to become the launch vehicle for his production house alongside partner Patralekhaa.

"The script came to me through Raj. He really liked Toaster as an idea to begin his production company with. Since we've all been friends for years, they thought it would be great if all of us started our journeys together," he said.

Tolia explained that the film underwent months of screenplay development before finally taking shape. Writers Parveez Sheikh, Akshat Ghildial, and Ana Gujja collaborated extensively on the script before the project eventually landed at Netflix.

"Netflix was very happy to come on board and greenlit the film. Seeing something go from paper to screen is a very empowering feeling," he added.

Building an Unpredictable Cast: How Was Casting Done?

One of the biggest highlights of Toaster has been its unusual casting choices. From Rajkummar Rao to Archana Puran Singh and Abhishek Banerjee, the ensemble surprised audiences in more ways than one.

Vivek said unpredictability was the key factor while selecting actors.

"We were very conscious that whoever we cast should not make the film predictable," he explained. "That's why Archana ji was exciting for us because audiences haven't seen her in such a role for a long time."

He also praised Abhishek Banerjee for making a special appearance in the film due to his close bond with Rajkummar Rao. "Nobody else could have done what he did in the film," He said.

The filmmaker described the casting process as organic rather than mechanical.

"You can't make a chart and cast a film. Certain faces naturally come into your head while writing characters," he said.

Friendship Made Filmmaking Easier In Toaster

Since the film involved close friends and collaborators, Daschaudary admitted the atmosphere on set was unusually relaxed and enjoyable.

"It's actually amazing to work with friends," he said. "That wall you usually have with people disappears."

The director fondly recalled how the cast and crew - many of whom shared Bengali roots - created a lively atmosphere behind the scenes.

"There was a lot of Bengali energy on set," he laughed. "Sometimes we would secretly discuss scenes in Bengali."

But beyond the fun, he believes beginning his filmmaking journey with friends made the experience emotionally special.

"We've seen each other struggle for years. To now build memories together through films is a great feeling," he added.

Why Indian Content Needs a Global Push

One of the most passionate moments in the conversation came when Vivek spoke about Indian cinema's global potential. Referring to the worldwide success of Korean dramas and shows like Squid Game, he argued that Indian filmmakers and actors need to collectively support unconventional storytelling.

"It has to be a community push," he said. "Actors, producers, filmmakers - everyone has to believe in these kinds of stories."

He pointed out that South Korean stars actively participate in bold, experimental projects, which has helped Korean entertainment dominate global pop culture.

"They believed in those stories, and now global OTT platforms are investing heavily in Korean content," he explained.

How Advertising Shaped Vivek's Filmmaking

Before stepping into feature films, Vivek built a strong reputation in advertising. According to him, that experience became a major strength while directing Toaster.

"Storytelling was always my strength in advertising," he said. "When you tell stories in 30 or 40 seconds, you learn how to make scenes engaging very quickly."

He believes modern audiences - especially Gen Z viewers - now decide within seconds whether they want to continue watching content.

"Today people scroll within a second," he observed. "Visually, something has to catch their attention immediately."

The director credits advertising for sharpening his visual instincts and helping him understand audience engagement. "In advertising, if a client spends money, they want to see value on screen. That pushes you to create something visually strong," he quipped.