‘I want to make at least one feature-length film before I die’

Rajesh Tailang has just put out a short film made during and inspired by the lockdown, but for the DelhiCrime actor, it seems to be just another step towards his life goal

Rajesh Tailang, known for his brilliant performances in shows like Delhi Crime and Mirzapur, has directed a short film during lockdown. Titled Trivedi Ji, the film stars Vartika Tiwari and depicts the life of a woman who is stuck in her apartment with a depleting food supplies. It follows her anxiousness and fragile state of mind as she struggles with her loneliness and has solace in the only other living creature around her, an aloe vera plant. The film is shot on a phone and with limited resources and is edited by Tailang. In a quick chat, the actor-filmmaker tells us what inspired him to make this short, his love for film direction, and what the 2021 calendar is looking like. Excerpts:

How did the story come into being and tell us the concept behind it?

Vartika Tiwari, actress of Trivedi Ji, had put up a post on Facebook, just a few days after the complete lockdown. In that, she had mentioned her ‘only living partner Trivedi Ji’ with a photo of her and the aloe vera plant. Consecutively, she put more photos with the plant describing her relationship with it. Those posts got me wondering how it must be to survive a lockdown where the only living thing around is a plant. So, I called her. I was also alone stuck in my house during the lockdown and hence had the time to develop this into something. Then video calls happened and both of us poured in ideas. I edited it myself and

Trivedi Ji came into being.

What makes an actor like you turn to direction?

I have been directing short films for the past four-five years for my YouTube channel, Theatre Talkies. I do a poetry show on it called Chand Pe Chai. I made a few documentaries on it as well. In fact, this is my seventh short.

Do you think your newfound popularity after and has helped in finally getting some spotlight on these shorts?

Mirzapur

DelhiCrime

Definitely, there are no two ways about it. When I am working as an actor, it is expected that people would want to see my other stuff as well, even if it is bad, just to know what I am directing or writing. Earlier, this was not the case. I am hoping, this short film will make people curious about what I am making next!

Have you thought of making an anthology since you have been directing short films?

I just want to make a feature length-film in my lifetime. At least one film before I die. I have a lot of ideas. But right now due to my acting projects, I cannot put my entire focus on direction. So by these short films, I am honing my skills till the time I get to direct a feature film.

What are you looking at in 2021?

I cannot reveal much but I am doing a series for Hotstar, another one for Netflix and a commercial film too.