Who are you?
I m a kid who from his love to listening the stories has now grown to telling the stories.

Summarize your job in a sentence

To dream. To capture the dream. To take people with me into those dreams.

Which best matches your motto at work?

To try the unknown.

What was your dream job when you were a child?

One day I wanted to be a watchman. Another day, a cop. Than a pilot, ice-cream vendor, postman or a doctor. By God’s grace, eventually I became the one who tells the stories of all these people and in the process gets the chance to live the life of them.

Which films would you post on AdForum.com to represent your work?

I would love to post the short film titled, ‘watermelon’ which I’m shooting for Adfest-Fabulous Four’. That is my best script so far, and it will be my best film till date.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Dreaming, story telling is a part of me. These are the two strands of the DNA. It’s like breathing and you don’t need an inspiration to breathe. You just do that. It’s automatic.

What are you the most proud of recently in your professional life?

My recent campaign ‘Brave & Beautiful’ for female cancer survivors is one piece, which is close to my heart. The reason being, it’s not just an interesting story, but also brought change in the perception of people towards cancer survivors. It’s an inspiring, effective story.

What annoys you the most from clients?

Take two examples. When you surrender your body to a doctor, you don’t suggest the scalpel that should be used to operate your abdomen!
Or
When you give the driving seat of your car to the driver, you don’t interfere with his choice of gears!
Lack of trust is the biggest problem in advertising/film making.
Clients need to understand that while making a film, a lot undergoes than what an eye see at the surface. Everyone thinks that he can stand behind a camera or sit in front of a monitor and says ‘action’. But the real action is much more complicated and detailed. Respect the guy, who is saying ‘action’ and trust him that he is equally (or may be more) responsible for the million dollars that are going into making. And believe me, he may sound like a kid while talking or from his demeanor but that’s his biggest strength, as far as his profession goes.

More awards to come this year I hope, which ones do you want and why?

I won’t mind to add a couple of Adfest (preferably Grand Prix) trophies, it being the biggest and toughest Asian advertising award show, to my kitty.
Internationally it’s D&AD, which comes at the top in the wish list. It’s one recognition that makes you really feel bloated!! J

How much of an artistic license can you get away with?
As far as what im telling is relevant (in the case of adfilms) to the brand/communication objective.
For short films, just one check point- There are only 10 different stories in this world. Everything above it, is the repeat. So as far as you tell the same story, differently, you are good.
For me what im telling, should not be told earlier, the way im telling it now.

How much freedom should a director be given?
Director is the only person, who knows right from the first shot she cans, how the whole story will look on the screen. It’s like a painter, who, when draws the first line, knows what exactly he is going to sketch. So, a freedom that a painter enjoys should be given to a director too. Both paints. One on a canvass, other on the screen.

You are shooting a TVC in a faraway land and can only bring 3 crew members from home, Which ones? 1st AD, DoP, Art director, wardrobe, gaffer,....?
In a crew, everyone plays a role but if you ask me, who are–crucial three! I will rather say- crucial one! DoP. He is the guy, who helps me capture my dreams into cans. He is the guy who makes my dreams; my stories look good on the screen. He is the one.

What makes a good story?
Look for the eye. A viewer’s eye. It should make her eye big with either shock or surprise. Or it will leave her teary eyes because of an overflow of emotions or an overdose of humor. So, while telling the story, always look for the eye. Eyes will tell you, whether your story is good or bad.

Anything else you would like to add?

Be a fearless dreamer and always remember-
An idea is like a bastard child, either no father or many.