'Jannat' actor Vishal Malhotra turns director with NFT-funded 'Ilm'

Mumbai, May 19

Actor Vishal Malhotra, who is known for his work in films like 'Ishq Vishk', 'Jannat', 'Kismat Konnection' and 'Salaam-e-Ishq', has turned director with 'Ilm', which is also the first NFT-funded film.

'Ilm' is an Urdu word which means 'knowledge', and the film follows the relationship between an 11-year-old and his grandmother. The boy's parents unfortunately die in an accident, due to which he shuts himself down. The only thing that gives him happiness is making portraits of his grandmother.

Vishal, who makes his directorial debut with the film, calls it "a proud moment for India and Indians", as the world's first NFT-funded film comes from India with the producers of the film being ordinary citizens.

Talking about his experience of helming 'Ilm', Vishal, who has also written the film, said in a statement, "It was a great experience to learn and understand how difficult it is to hold the torch of such a big responsibility. Directing a film is a very subjective thing as you are literally showing the audience how you see the world through your own lens.

"And the way I see 'Ilm' is that it involves happiness, grief, trauma, fear and struggle. And I hope to convey these feelings to the audience and wish that they will feel these emotions just as I did while I was directing it."

The film, which will have its theatrical premiere on May 22, is set to release on an OTT platform.