What are the projects you have worked on as a filmmaker?
I have made a couple of short films which have travelled to various film festivals across the globe. Recently, I made a short film called ‘Mukti’ which received accolades at several festivals. I think short films are a good way for a filmmaker to brush up his skills before he makes a feature-length film.
Tell us something about your background.
I grew up in a small village called Batauli in Chattisgarh. It is thirty kilometres away from Ambikapur. I was fascinated by cinema since childhood. I did a course in animation from an institute in Chennai. After finishing the course, I worked as an assistant director on short films and then, on feature films. I also worked as a voice-over artist in Tamil films which were dubbed in Hindi. After a while, I came to Mumbai and started working in TV serials. Then, slowly I started working in films.
Do you plan to make a feature film someday?
Yes, I definitely want to make a feature film. I have written a script and am in the process of pitching it to different production houses. I would like to make films that creates a positive impact.
Which are the filmmakers you grew up admiring?
I have been hugely inspired by two filmmakers, namely Akira Kurosawa and Shyam Benegal. Rithwik Ghatak and Shyam Benegal have also helped me in shaping my sensibilities as a filmmaker.
Which was the last film you enjoyed watching?
I watched some of the recent Hindi releases but did not enjoy them. I liked some newly added films from world cinema on Netflix.
You are an author too.
Yes, I recently released a book called ‘Saanson Ki Kahaani’ which is available to be bought from Flipkart and Amazon. It is a collection of poems. It gives a glimpse into my bitter-sweet experiences right from my childhood. I am in the process of writing another book which will be an anthology of short stories.