‘Cinema plays a crucial role in the life of an individual’

Q. When did you realise you wanted to make films?

A. I come from a lower middle class family and spent my early life in a village. Therefore, due to dearth of knowledge, the apparent choice of career for me was engineering, as it happens with many others. My engineering years gave me an exposure to various things and art forms. I was a member of National Service Scheme, so I got to know a lot about our society. This was the time I realised the power of cinema. Cinema, as a medium plays a crucial role in the life of an individual. It is a good way to change people’s perspective and make a difference. So I started making short films.

Q. What do you think is most important in storytelling? A. There are three things I believe constitutes a good story—good beginning, strong characters and conflicts, twist and turns.

Q. Who is your favorite filmmaker and why?

A. My favorite filmmakers are Christopher Nolan and Terrence Malick. I like their style, how their stories visually impact the global audience. They talk about subjective realities, illusions, delusions, pursuits, longings, quest for meanings and existential philosophies.

Q Why do you want to be a filmmaker?

A. Film is a medium which can change the perspective of people. They can bring a difference in a person’s life. They have power of inflicting injuries and remedying it. This is a powerful medium to show how you see the world.

Q. What do you like to do in your free time?

A. I have a great interest in photography as photography is also a medium to tell stories. Besides, I also love to travel, read books and watch documentaries. It is my dream to travel around the world and meet different people.