Have you ever considered how many people are required to create a film? You only need one person—you! And a few seconds to create your short film using a video camera or a smartphone. But what about those big-budget movies you watch in the theatres? Those films, on the other hand, require a large number of people. To make a masterpiece, these folks working behind the camera are as crucial. Today, though, we’re talking about a person who is in charge of the entire shoot from behind the camera. They’re also referred to as “directors.” They are the creative leaders of a film. From pre-production through the final edit, they maintain the artistic vision. They have complete control over the dramatic and creative elements of the movie. And when we are talking about directors, some of the names of well-established directors in the Indian Film Fraternity surely comes to our mind. One of them is Mr. Jaideep Chopra, who has created masterpieces that have received great critical acclaim in the industry. The craftsmanship that he owns, is depicted through his work. That is the reason, that he has been honoured several times for his creations.
EARLY LIFE
“I was born in Delhi in a middle-class family. While growing up, I developed a passion for the direction of movies. So, I did my engineering in electronics at Mumbai university. Till 2010, I was the vice president of Gfive International in Hong Kong. Then I moved to Mumbai to follow my childhood dream to direct films.”
THE FIRST PROJECT
Mr. Jaideep Chopra, who is a known face now, shares about his very first project “Maazzii”, which received great critical acclaim and was also known as “the shocking surprise of the season” for being so well crafted. “My journey as a director started in 2010 when I left my business and job and decided to direct and produce my 1st film “Maazzii” which was mostly shot in Dehradun and Mussoorie.”
STRUGGLES HE FACED
When you step your feet into your new venture, some obstacles tend to hinder you. It depends on you how you face those tough times and come out shining brighter. Sharing about his struggles during his very first project, he says “Firstly, being a debutant director, no one was ready to fund my project so I had to produce it on my own. Later I had a problem with the releases. Also, someone who was associated with the marketing of the movie cheated me. But I was very clear with my passion and vision, so I managed to do some marketing. The film got released and received up to 4 stars from the critics. This was surely a good start to my directorial journey but since no studio was backing the film, it couldn’t get enough theatres. But your work always reflects everything and my film won the best independent film of 2013 award by IBN LIVE.”
INSPIRATION
Being a director, he gets to work with lots of actors but who is his favourite one. He says” All of the actors were good but working with Pankaj Tripathi and Divyendu Sharma was the best experience. Pankaj Is a great mimicry artist too. Both Pankaj and Divyendu make things easier for a director. They also have a great sense of humour.
THE MEMORABLE INCIDENT DURING HIS VERY FIRST DIRECTED OR PRODUCED MOVIE
“ The whole movie was a memorable experience. We were shooting in Mussoorie in winter and in the night. It was so challenging. My cast, Pankaj Tripathi, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayub, Manish Choudhary, Zakir Hussain and all of them, all made it so easy. Most of the actors in the movie were from N.S.D I think I was the least experienced person on the shoot, but I got all the support and respect that a director should get from the actors and crew.”
SOMETHING THAT HOLDS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN HIS HEART
“Mangalsura was a silent film directed and written by me on domestic violence. The film won a lot of awards globally. This film is very close to me”
HOBBIES
“I like to travel, but my favourite hobby is writing, it’s like meditation to me”
UPCOMING PROJECTS
This prominent director has several projects lined up. Sharing about a few, he says” I have recently completed a film titled “Sangeen” with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Elnaaz Norouzi. I wrote the film as well. Soon people can watch it. I have a couple of other projects to be started soon”.
A MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING IN THIS FIELD
The man who paved a way for himself in this industry has a message for other aspiring people out there- “Be patient, you will get what you deserve”.
