MUMBAI: Jai Mehta, the visionary creator behind the acclaimed series Lootere, is riding high on the success of his latest project. While he proudly acknowledges the influence of his father, Hansal Mehta, Jai is carving out his own unique path in the world of storytelling. “Style, music, scale, and innovation are what drive me,” he declares, setting the stage for a bold new chapter in his career.

Even a month after Lootere‘s gripping finale, the accolades keep pouring in. Jai reflects, “I’m humbled. The reaction has been fascinating because Lootere wasn’t a conventional show. It didn’t cater to the platform’s usual target audience. Yet, the response has been a powerful reminder that we must never underestimate our viewers.”

Lootere, which delves into the dramatic hijacking of an Indian ship by Somalian pirates, marks Jai’s triumphant independent feature debut. Having co-directed the critically acclaimed Scam 1992 in 2020, Jai sees Lootere as a pivotal moment that showcases his distinctive storytelling vision.

Now, Jai is gearing up for his next ambitious venture—a film set in the 1980s heartland of India. Eager to start production this year, he shares, “I’m immersed in several projects right now, including a period crime drama inspired by a true story for Abundantia Entertainment. Co-written with Vishal Kapoor, who also penned Lootere, we’ve been developing this project for four years. It’s a tribute to all the films that have shaped my journey as a filmmaker—a hat-tip to masterpieces like Memories of Murder, Cure, the Vengeance trilogy, select works of Ram Gopal Varma, and all the crime dramas I’ve cherished.”

With a deep passion for his craft and an unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, Jai Mehta is a filmmaker to watch. His upcoming projects promise to be a cinematic feast, blending nostalgia with innovation. We can’t wait to see what this brilliant storyteller unveils next.