Siraj Syed interviews young film-maker Pratik Rajen Kothari

*How many films have you made since your student days and what/who made it possible to make them?

I have made three short films plus co-directed one before Hell O Hello. I also made some music videos. Almost all of these are zero/extremely low budget. At the start, people who are instrumental in making it possible are your like-minded friends. I have a very co-operative core team, without whom, I just wouldn't have had the courage to venture into film-making. Also, in a couple of projects, I must acknowledge the encouragement given to me by Humaramovie, to go ahead and make those short films. Humaramovie produced Pyar Kab Karoge (the one I co-directed) and, most recently, Hell O Hello.

*What did you study and what/who were your inspirations?

I was actually doing a dual degree programme, and marks suggested I was doing well too. But halfway down my MBA Tech, I realised Films is where I want to be! I took training as an actor from institutes like Kreating Charakters, and Barry John Acting Studio. I started doing a lot of theatre in various languages (I mention this here because theatre is no less than any formal training). I had some free time, and I joined as an apprentice in actress-filmmaker Deepti Naval's Do Paise Ki Dhoop Chaar Aane Ki Baarish.

From there on I learnt film making (whatever little I know about it) on the job. I went on to assist makers like Shyam Benegal, Rajen Kothari (Pratik’s father, Director of Photography, late Rajen Kothari) , Kiran Deohans (another veteran cinematographer) and Amitabha Singh, to name a few. Inspiration… I was drawn towards cinema and film-making right from childhood. I loved to be on sets whenever my dad would take me there. I remember I had serious episodes of asthma while I was growing up. Whenever I had an attack, I would play a film on VHS tape, and by the time I finished viewing the film, I was feeling better. So, some deep-rooted connection was there from the beginning. I went on stage for the first time on the insistence of a college friend, Subhash Jha (not the journalist), and stage inspired me. I have been privileged to have a lot of mentors/teachers/colleagues, who have inspired me and encouraged me to do well.  

*Tell us something about Shyam Benegal and your films under him

I worked with Shyam Sir on Samvidhaan - The Making of the Indian Constitution. In fact, we have a family history. My grandfather (a still photographer) was his colleague at Lintas (advertising agency, now known as Loewe Lintas), my dad was his DoP for almost a decade, and then I got this privilege to assist him. It was a much-needed ‘workshop’. Encyclopaedia that he is...I learnt how important it is to know the story, inside out. He knew the smallest details of each member (in terms of screenplay and screen-time) of India’s Constituent Assembly inside out. Such a well informed man! 

Also, on his set there is a lot of dignity. Often, directors don't welcome suggestions from an AD. That too, if there is two-generation gap between the boss and the employee. The bridge can be a difficult one to cross. With Shyam Sir, it was completely different. 

He treats sound and visuals with equal importance. We would stall the shoot for half an hour at times, for the rain to stop, as we were recording sync sound (it was supposed to be a sound proof studio where we had put up a set). I also learnt that to be on schedule, you don't just need to shout; you need to be sure, and plan well. We wrapped a 55-day schedule in 48 days! And peacefully.

If ever I am given an opportunity, I would love to be directed by him (as an actor). 

*Which are your own three most satisfying films and why? Include one Benegal film.

First would be Das Capital - Gulmaon Ki Rajdhani - This film holds a special place in my heart. Of course, it was directed by my dad, and one of his last major works , but I am glad I was able to contribute...I accidentally became the Chief AD, when the person who was supposed to be at that post couldn't make it to the shoot. Apart from being at a responsible position in the Direction team, I was playing a pivotal part, and also handling some production responsibilities, along with the pressure of an Indie film schedule and a cash crunch. I learnt heck of a lot from this one film

Next would be Hell O Hello - It has been a satisfying experience, looking at the end product as I feel I was quite close to what I wanted to say with the film! The thrill of being able to articulate yourself through art is just ‘something else’.

And the third… it would have to be Samvidhaan - The Making of Indian Constitution. This one is special because this one was with Shyam Sir. I learnt a lot about direction and directing on the set. I used to be an angry AD. On Shyam Sir's sets, I discovered another (and much more dignified way) of getting things done. The dignity with which you are treated on his set is unmatched. 

*Name 5-6 films that really impressed you, across genres and languages, and what was it about each that hooked you?

Majid Majidi's Children of Heaven - The simplicity of the narrative! I was blown away by simple, yet powerful story telling. 

Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times- Must have seen this film over 50 times. Yet, every time I watch it, there is a layer that I discover. The opening shot, the political context. This film subtly inspired a lot of nuances in Hell O Hello.

RajKumar Hirani's 3 Idiots - A perfect blend of storytelling and commercial aesthetics. You name any education-related theme, and the film has spoken about it. Yet in such a light/engaging way. For me it is a ‘master class’ of screenplay writing.

Gurvinder Singh's Anhe Ghore Da Daan - I just chanced this film! What visuals. I am proud India churns cinema like this. But what a pity only few people (even from the Industry) have heard of this national award winning film.

Damien Chazelle's La La Land - Beautiful cinema…brilliant shooting and edit pattern...so much resonant, as I am an actor too. Have gone through a lot of that.

Manthan - Such an engaging story. The best part is...in that times…you have an antagonist (Amrish Puri) who is not a 'villain'. 

Gabriele Munnico's Pursuit of Happiness - If ever you need inspiration when you are low! This is it! I can cry along with Will Smith, …the scene in the end where he walks out of the building and bursts into tears on the street, over and over again. 

*Where do you manage to screen your films? Did any of them earn you any returns?

Hell O Hello won an award of Recognition (Asia) at Best Shorts Competition in USA and is slated to be showcased at HISFF (Haryana International Short Film Festival) as well as many other international film festivals, shortly. Apart from that, we are screening the film at a lot of private venues. 

However, Hell O Hello was released as a part of an anthology 'Shor Se Shuruaat' in theatres in India (Dec 2016). Shor Se Shuruaat also was presented in prestigious film festivals, like MAMI’s Mumbai Film Festival and SAIFF (South Asian International Film Festival), New York). Shor Se Shuruaat is available on Amazon Prime. 

Since we were given a very small production budget, we did not hope to earn any revenue out of it. Revenue, if any, goes to Humaramovie.

*Tell us about your father and some of his work.

Well I discover him almost every day. I feel proud every time I bump into someone, and they speak highly of him. I say this because, at home, we never knew his stature in the industry. He worked in the industry as a DoP/Director for almost 35 years, and also taught Cinematography at Whistling Woods International. He shot films like Ghayal, Mrityudand, Zubeidaa and Welcome to Sajjanpur. He also shot TV shows like Chanakya, and Tehreer Munshi Premchand Ki. He also directed a few films, last of which was Das Capital - Gulamon Ki Rajdhani, which I happened to have assisted him on. Das Capital, which was completed after his demise, went on to win quite a few awards at well known festivals, and we are still trying to get it a theatrical release. 

7. What is the immediate next project you are working on?

Few of them. I am pitching a Gujarati film (his mother-tongue). I want to direct and am co writing one more. Also writing/pitching Hindi Features and Web Series! Lot in the ‘to-do’ list.

Links

Hell O Hello (Teaser)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awphnjTTLjg

Interview about Hell O Hello at SAIFF (Featuring me)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uojeKiKLLWo&t=84s

Pyaar Kab Karoge (co-directed 2013)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYOheGJzhuc&t=267s

Samvidhaan - Making of Indian Constitution (As AD)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U9KDQnIsNk