After completing my filmmaking program from Institute of Moving Images, Pune, I made a number of short films. I had worked as a Director, Assistant Director, Action Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Costume Designer, Actor, everything I could running around and just working like anything. I had made a short film “EVE ON THE BREW” on the issue of Eve Teasing it had won awards and appreciation, I am too proud of that film. One evening I got a call from Delhi Police Crime Branch, the voice on the other side actually felt like a Policeman I got goosebumps then he told me that they loved our film and wanted it to upload on their website for social awareness and that felt like icing on the cake. I had never dreamt of making films although I have been acting and modeling when I was young as I was always busy with machines, I love them. I love making action films as I am a Taekwondo player having won many medals and also a Gold Medalist of Delhi State Taekwondo Championship. I have been involved in making action sequences ever since I stepped in this field.
How would you describe your work as a director
I have been making films on social issues rather than any other genre. I believe that making film of any genre is not that difficult, but to make a film on social issue and make a mark on peoples mind is very difficult and I suppose I have been able to justify the films.
How did you get into directing
Although, my father was a documentary filmmaker I never imagined I would be directing films, I knew I can act better than most people who call themselves ‘actors’. It wasn’t my decision to get into directing I was always busy in computers it was my sister’s decision she enrolled me in the course and pushed me in the classroom. Yet I didn’t wanted to do the course so I got along and thought this would be over one day and I will be back to programming but direction got over me.
How do you choose a project to direct
The main thing I keep in mind is what am I selling and does it fits in “My Kind Of Filmmaking”. I cannot do a project which is not morally right.
Briefly describe in a few words wrong impressions actors, writers,and directors have about directing
People often think that direction is a very easy job. It is said (in India particularly) that if you cannot study you can be an actor but if you can’t act you can become a director. They don’t realize the amount of work undertaken by a director.
Do you take courses to increase you craft
I prefer in one to one interaction with quality people because even if you spend some time with them you will get to learn a lot from them and it would be better than taking a course. But an interactive course will be very good. The last time I took a course was last year when Richard Allen, Chair, NYU Film Studies came to India for a short term session on Alfred Hitchcock, unfolding his mysteries how he tricked the camera and all.
What books do you read
– “David Copperfield” written by Charles Dickens
– “Animal Farm” written by George Orwell
– “The Mist” written by Madhu Raina
– “The Tombstone Imperative” written by Andrew Weir
– “Musings of a Master” written by Madhu Raina
– “Pictures” written by Robert Daley
– “Tales and Legends from India” written by Ruskin Bond
– “The Shadow Throne” written by Aroon Raman
Why will you choose an actor, writer or producer. What do you look for
I would choose an Actor only if he is versatile, nowadays people call themselves Method Actors even when they don’t know the meaning of method acting. We should not forget that a good Actor can turn a film around. I would choose a Writer if he is a free bird with exceptional ideas and concepts and of course he shouldn’t be rigid but flexible to work and discuss. Talking about Producer there is only one thing he shouldn’t interfere in the creative aspects of filmmaking. When a Producer interferes in filmmaking it destroys the plot.
When you are offered a job, what things do you put in place to deliver a good job
First, good understanding with the producer. Second, prepare a good team. Third, a mind blowing script. Fourth, a good cast. And final going for the kill and shoot it down.
Briefly explain your latest work
My latest film ‘Pareshaniyaan’ is based on the issue of students who commit suicide under the pressure of studies. It showcases a student who fails in his college exam and his mom is very angry at him his friend is very angry at him. He feels very neglected and unwanted and decides to put an end to his life. He tries to do suicide from many things and finds a loop which he thinks fit to tie around his throat and hang as he tries to hang the loop breaks and he falls on the ground and as he falls a paper plane lands near him which said “YES YOU CAN” and after a month he succeeds in a competition and becomes a developer. This film won an award and also stood 2nd in a Film Festival in Bangalore.
What thing/situation helps you during production
The only thing that helps is a good team, if you have a good team you can do anything and tackle any situation. There is another thing that helps during a production that is good food, no army can move forward with empty stomach.
Explain a creative choice you took on set on a recent production
I always try to do something creative and I love to play with colors. On my recent production I tried to build a scene with multiple colors as far as I remember I used 8-9 different colors in a particular shot. It was like every person was wearing different bright colors.
How do you advise directors to find projects
If you master and work on one or two genre then it would be easy to find a project. For example you cannot find a coin in a river but chances to find a coin in a swimming pool is very high. Choose your field of work and just aim towards that projects.
How can filmmakers finance projects
Financing a project is the most difficult task. The only thing to do is prepare a good project with full proposal and approach right people. It would be better to add some cause to your project and approach people who support that cause. Crowdfunding is also an option but it is a very successful only for a few.
What do you want from an actor in production
First and the most important thing is punctuality. Please be on time. Secondly, read the script and learn the dialogues by heart, many actors feel they are very natural and can go with the flow without a bound script. But, I want to tell them they are not that natural and script is written for a reason acting over smart can cause a lot of damage to the Film and the Producer.
How do you prefer to work with a producer during a production
Working with a Producer is a very easy and a very difficult job. Looking from one angle a producer is just investing his /her money, but he needs profits. So the most important thing between a Director and Producer should be trust and understanding, if the Producer doesn’t have full faith in the Director then the Production would never been successful. I have been on many sets where Director and Producers keep fighting and their work was never finished.
What do you think a director can do to get into the film industry
A director is master of all. If you want to get into the film industry master all aspects of filmmaking that’s the very basic. Then the most important thing choose and specialize your genre which kind of films you want to master in. Likewise for example, Steven Spielberg has been making suspense / horror films and he has mastered it and in India Rohit Shetty is a master of Action Films his films are blockbuster hits. Choose your field and hit out.
Who is your favorite director
I have 2 favorite Directors. First is Alfred Hitchcock, because of his versatility in suspense which is the epicenter of any film. Second is Steven Spielberg, because my friends call me ‘SPIELBERG’.
Why this director
Both these Directors as you all know are masters of suspense and suspense hooks audience to the screen. If there is no suspense the aroma of the film gets lost. Alfred Hitchcock is not master of suspense but he is god of suspense. He taught us new ways and importance of suspense. Although his struggle to survive in the industry was long but he withstood it with his magic wand.
What advice would you give to directors around the world
Just try to create a masterpiece, we all are artists and our duty is to create a masterpiece.
Briefly write about your career
It’s not a very long journey but a very interesting one I have worked in a number of films doing multiple work as I feel satisfied when I do more than 1 work as I feel that I have contributed significantly in this project. Some of my films have won awards and applauds. I have found many talents and potential talents some of them are in regular contact with me they keep asking me on how they can improvise their writing talent or acting talent and how can they get some work and I am very keen to guide them. Some of them have also started working in some films. The most important thing I have gained although this journey is respect and I am happy about it.
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