A thoroughbred Lucknowite’s tryst with fame

After about 20 years 30 serials including ‘CID’ on Indian television, Lucknowite Anupam Ghosh is no stranger to the industry. Having worked with Vinod Pande as a writer and in ‘No Exit’ as an associate director, he is back with his third movie, ‘Ganda Baccha’, in which he makes his directorial debut. The movie is set to release next year.

“The story revolves around the fight of a single mother against society for her child. It’s a story of loss of innocence, where a good child ends up taking the wrong path not only ruins his life, but also the lives of the people around him. It is also a beautiful love story. It has a very strong story and I have put my heart and soul into it. I really hope the audience likes it.” Opening up about his experience shooting in the city, Ghosh said, “This movie has been mainly shot in Lucknow and Malihabad. More than half the cast is from the state and people like Saldam Hussain, Anil Rastogi can be seen in the movie. It won’t be wrong to say that the people of Lucknow have made the movie. Thus, the whole city is the producer.”

Talking about his initial days he said, “I am from Lucknow and started my career as a journalist in the print media. But, after a few years realised that a part of me was missing. So, I left my job and started studying theatre, where I did writing, acting and directing. Having been a part of

National School of Drama in Delhi, I have worked with masters in the field like BM Shah and others. A producer saw my play ‘Marriage 50-50’ after which he approached me to write a TV serial for him. But, since I felt that I needed more knowledge about what happens behind the camera, I asked him to allow me to become an assistant. I finally made my debut in television with Sony channel’s first serial with ‘Ghaao’, where I was an assistant director, writer and actor (played Pawan Malhotra’s younger brother).”

Opening up about his long television journey, Ghosh said, “The only thing which made me stick to television because the money was good. I had to work day and night and after some time it got very monotonous for me. My daughter and wife supported me at this time and encouraged me to switch to cinema, my passion, which is why I studied theatre in the first place.”

However, Ghosh doesn’t wish to restrict himself to one genre. “I feel challenges are very important in life. They keep you on your toes and make you give your best. Being comfortable is like being in coma. I believe in discovering new paths and giving something new to myself as well as the audience. I encouraged my daughter to do the same, who is an assistant director and is working with Akshay Kumar on ‘Lakshmi Bomb’. I’m glad she chose to go in for mainstream cinema,” he said proudly.

Anupam is the seventh generation of his family who has lived in the city. Having spent a major part of his life in Lucknow he said, “Some of my fondest childhood memories are playing cricket with my friends at La Martiniere ground. Besides, I love the chaat, kebabs, kulfi and rabri from the city. When I’m here, I feel alive. ‘Main is sheher mein pala-bara hun. Is sheher ne mujhe meri zubaan di hai, dekhne aur zindagi ko samajhne ka nazariya diya hai. (I have been born and brought up in this city. It has given me the language that signifies me, and the ability to see and comprehend life). The city has a big role to play in making me who I am today.”

War Uri: The Surgical Strike