Nag Ashwin Reveals Creative Frustration After Inception Trailer Drop
The director shares how Christopher Nolan’s Inception trailer in 2010 blindsided him, sparking a week-long depression over a similar concept he had conceived years earlier
Director Nag Ashwin’s disappointment with Christopher Nolan’s Inception wasn’t rooted in criticism, but in a deep personal frustration. During a recent student interaction, Ashwin revealed that back in 2008, he had conceived an idea centered on thoughts—a cerebral, high-concept narrative. However, when Nolan's Inception trailer released in 2010, with a strikingly similar premise about dreams, Ashwin felt blindsided.
The realization that Nolan, a globally recognized filmmaker, had executed a concept in the same creative space—and on such a grand scale—was a tough blow. Ashwin admitted the news sent him into a week-long depression, not from envy, but from the sense of missed opportunity—what could have been had he pursued his idea sooner.
This experience is one many creatives can relate to: the emotional challenge of seeing a concept you've been nurturing come to life elsewhere, often in a way that feels overwhelming. While it doesn’t invalidate the original idea, it does present a difficult emotional hurdle.
Interestingly, this experience also highlights Ashwin's passion for his concepts. As he ventures into even more ambitious territory with Kalki 2898 AD, it’s clear that the creative fire behind his early frustration is now fueling his grand vision for Indian cinema.