Young at Art

As Bollywood is getting younger,Malhotra finds company in others young directors. Ayan Mukherji (Wake Up Sid),Sharad Katariya (Fruit & Nut),Alankrita Shrivastava (Turning 30),Faruque Kabir (Allah Ke Banday) and Rohit Dhawan—all in their 20s—are either wielding the director’s baton or are set to do so. This trend,however,started nearly a decade ago when Farhan Akhtar and Karan Johar debuted as directors in their 20s. Both,however,enjoyed the advantage of coming from film families.

“A godfather in the industry makes life that much more simple. But for people like us who only have our education and skill,we need to work with various faculties of the film unit. However,any good beginning comes from good writing,” says the 28-year-old Kabir. He started off as a screenwriter. Later,he assisted directors like Aziz Mirza,Santosh Sivan and Rajiv Rai. “My method of working is also very different. I love to work with storyboards and this way we save time on the sets.”

Ditto in the case of Shrivastava,who just turned 30,as she dabbled in writing and assisting for many years. “For each one it’s different. I felt more evolved at 28 when I decided to write my script. My film Turning 30 complete at the right time as I’m also turning 30,” says Shrivastava,who has worked with Prakash Jha Productions for eight years.

The youngest of the lot—Mukherji,25—feels that ‘time’ is a major resource which needs to be utilised to the maximum. “You are always going to be insecure about the film you make. When you start young,you have that much more time to cope,” he says. The young director,who tasted success with Wake Up Sid,feels that age can be a concern,but only at a superficial level. “I knew all along that I was a young director making my first film. But when you have the support of a production house like Dharma,you know that you have done something right.”

Apart from the age bracket,another common thread that binds this younger lot is the unconventional subjects they have chosen. Films are made on issues related to the life of a single woman (Turning 30) to kids in juvenile homes (Allah Ke Banday) and contemporary love stories. “The main reason why young directors are getting a chance today is because their thoughts and sensibilities gel with a modern day audiences who are willing to experience different kinds of cinema,” feels Kabir. Production houses too have realised the need to relate to a larger audience. Prakash Jha comments: “Fresh minds always offer fresh perspectives. As a production house,we are always looking to address newer subjects which will go down well with the youth of the country.”

The best thing about starting out young is the support these directors get from upcoming actors,who are at an early stage of their career and are willing to experiment. Kabir says,“Sharman Joshi was kicked about doing the role of a juvenile delinquent,because he is always looking for challenges. Unlike him,experienced actors are already happy in their zone.” Many young actors find it comfortable to work with young filmmakers. “I enjoy working with people who are closer to my age. I can easily relate to them. Our ideas and mindsets match. My next director Danish Aslam (who is directing Break Ke Baad) too is a young debutant,” says Imran Khan who will be seen in IHLS.

However,it’s not all hunky-dory for young directors. With a mix of senior and junior members in the crew,it is mandatory to maintain a good rapport. “When you are young,it’s important not to show who is the boss on the sets and to have a nice rapport with most people around you,” says Malhotra.