More and more, streaming platforms and movie producers are asking writers who method them with non-fiction script concepts to first write and publish a ebook, earlier than deciding whether or not to show it into an internet collection or movie. Since writing a ebook on a non-fiction topic would typically want in depth analysis, this method helps makers keep away from future authorized disputes and controversies over content material and mental property possession, mentioned writers, producers and IP businesses.
“As a substitute of ready for a bestseller, producers and IP businesses are encouraging writers to develop books as screen-ready IP from day one,” mentioned author Anirudhya Mitra. “The ebook turns into a growth software and never the completed product.”
When Mitra pitched a script thought on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi to Applause Leisure in 2021, the manufacturing home requested him to put in writing a ebook first. Writer Harper Collins India got here on board and revealed the ebook, ‘Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins’ the next 12 months. An online collection titled ‘The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case’ was subsequently made and aired on SonyLiv in 2025.
Alisha Kay’s Devgarh Royals trilogy and Srishti Chaudhary’s Lallan Sweets are amongst different examples the place concepts pitched as scripts have been revealed first as books. These are at the moment being tailored into visible content material.
“The rationale behind asking writers to transform script pitches into books is authorized cushioning. A author’s due diligence and analysis a few topic save makers from unexpected authorized hassles or controversies,” mentioned Sidharth Jain, founding father of IP company The Story Ink.
Publishers are eager on taking part on this train, as an internet collection or movie gives their books publicity.There’s additionally quite a lot of viewers curiosity in non-fiction concepts, which reveals that platforms and producers are catering to an already present demand.
Platforms asking writers to put in writing books primarily based on their pitches is nothing however catering to this demand, mentioned scriptwriter Jaidev Hemmady.
Publishing a ebook first helps restrict authorized liabilities in case of any litigation and helps in creating consciousness about these concepts, he mentioned.
“Additionally, streamers should not that comfy with toying with or contemplating authentic fiction concepts given the uncertainty of their reception amongst audiences,” added Hemmady.
Even cinematically, this method is useful because it offers makers an thought of what’s filmable. “So, it may be a great testing floor for net collection or movies,” mentioned veteran filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah.
Producers say this method might progressively turn into a pattern.
“As we search extra rooted Indian content material, it’s doubtless that we’ll see extra ebook to display screen variations from Indian literary materials going ahead,” mentioned Sunir Kheterpal, producer, Athena E&M.
