'Vash Level 2' director Krishnadev Yagnik says 'Audience is the real star; language doesn’t matter; theaters run only on demand

Gujarati filmmaker Krishnadev Yagnik is riding high on the success of 'Vash Level 2', a film that he believes has opened fresh doors for regional cinema. For him, the journey of the 'Vash' franchise is more than just box-office numbers, it’s about conviction, audience trust, and breaking barriers that once kept Gujarati cinema in the shadows.

A stronger start than the original

Talking to Money Control, Yagnik recalls how the release of 'Vash Level 2' came with a surge of recognition. The trailer went viral and, on the very same evening, the first part of Vash bagged a National Award. “That timing gave the film wings,” he explained. The buzz translated into packed shows not just across Gujarat but in other regions as well. Audiences embraced the story, prompting theatres to increase screenings steadily.

Audience shift in Gujarat

For decades, Gujarati films struggled to be seen as worthy alternatives to Bollywood releases. Yagnik sees that tide turning. “Earlier, people didn’t give Gujarati films recognition. Now they say, let’s go watch a Gujarati movie. That change matters,” he shared. He also pushed back on the notion that regional films are sidelined in theatres, insisting that it’s always about demand. “If your film has an audience, no theatre will let it go.

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Yagnik says regional filmmakers must prove themselves unlike big stars

Streaming, Yagnik admits, is both an opportunity and a challenge. Big stars may get pre-deals, but regional filmmakers must prove themselves step by step. His own work got recognition when 'Vash' inspired the Hindi remake 'Shaitaan', even giving actress Janki a big break. On AI in filmmaking, he confessed he isn’t tech-driven but likened it to earlier shifts in the music industry, calling it an “upgrade, not a threat.

”Meanwhile, 'Vash Level 2' is getting much praise from the audiences. Recently Ajay Devgn hailed the film and called it a 'Good cinema' in a social media post.