With a string of successful films behind him, Ali Abbas Zafar knew it was time to explore a new dimension of storytelling. If the new brings with it the fear of the unknown, it also offers the joy of discovery. It holds true for the filmmaker who has attempted long-format storytelling with Tandav — while the series has made him unlearn many a trick of his craft, it has also been his most fruitful endeavour.

Drawing an analogy with cricket, he begins, “If you love the sport, there is nothing better than playing test cricket. The same holds true here. Long-format shows demand more patience from a filmmaker, and is more difficult as you have to hold the audience interest for over eight to nine hours.”