India, July 1 -- In the last decade, the perception of Bollywood has changed. Politics, the rise of social media, feminism, and an intrusive paparazzi have toppled superstars off their pedestals and reduced the reverence with which they are viewed. Mumbai's charm as the Mayanagari, where common people go to achieve their dreams of stardom, is now put to question. Amid these changing perceptions, and with a speculative twist thrown in, Amal Singh's Slow Burn evokes nostalgia for the narrative of a struggling artist trying to make it big.

Rishi Tripathi, a 32-year-old man with a "lithe frame" and "dark features" from Varanasi, is frustrated with his life in Mumbai where he keeps failing auditions. His roommate Prabhu writes for television ...