Excerpts:
How would you describe your journey from being a carpenter to a production assistant and now a director?
My journey has been incredibly exciting and emotional. My passion for film and cinema began at the tender age of 8. The world has evolved, but when I was just a boy I was absolutely fascinated by the technology of our time. Having the opportunity of experiencing film through a CD was what ignited the passion in me. As I got older, I truly understood my calling. To make my thoughts my reality, I decided it was time to break out of my comfort zone and pursue my passion in the city of dreams – Mumbai. Not knowing where to begin, I understood the phrase “everyone goes through struggle.” From working as a carpenter to running my uncle’s business, I did it all and fell in love with the process.
How excited are you for your next project?
Working with the Legend (Rahat Fateh Ali Khan), that’s the most exciting thing one can ask for and that too coming in so very early in my career. I count my blessings.
What kind of projects appeal to you?
May it be a social-political drama, or outright romantic. What appeals to me most is the essence of reality.
What have been your biggest obstacles?
I take things as and when they come, take it on the chin and move on taking the positive out of every difficult situation. It’s a journey, so if I may humbly say life is an obstacle race. And by the grace of God, there weren’t all that many challenges that I faced. The industry has been good to me till now, touchwood.
Are you happy with how things are shaping up for you in the industry?
My career in the industry has just begun. I am really blessed to have what I have so far. My fond memory if you ask is working with the great Rahat Fateh Ali Sahab, this was one truly great moment. In life, there are happy and not so happy moments. This industry has its ups and downs. But the show must go on. In conclusion, happy? Yes.
Which project gave you the most amount of creative satisfaction and which one was the most challenging?
There are many of my projects which did not release that gave me immense satisfaction, truly because I work out of passion and not compulsion. And from the ones that were released, two of them are really close to my heart. ‘Tum bin‘, one of my latest projects, gives me the most creative satisfaction. And the most challenging project has definitely been ‘Khud Ke Baad‘.
How do you take care of your mental health?
I keep my mind light, and it doesn’t have much of a choice!
There has been a lot of talk about pay disparity in Bollywood. How did you, as a director, make sure to decrease that gap?
I don’t measure projects with monetary value. What matters most is whether or not the project moves me, as some have a great budget and some, not so great. Talking about decreasing that pay disparity, frankly, it’s one’s choice.
