What does it take to leave a stable corporate job and dive into filmmaking, without a studio, budget, or backing? In this compelling episode, Ananyabrata Chakravorty, writer-director of Kaisi Ye Paheli, shares his courageous journey from Bangalore’s tech corridors to Mumbai’s indie film sets. From managing bands and writing lyrics in college to sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, Ananyabrata has carved a path that defies convention. In this episode, he opens up about the real challenges of breaking into Bollywood, the politics of storytelling, and why resilience is a filmmaker’s greatest asset.

Key Takeaways:

• Ananyabrata’s initial goal was to adapt his novel into a film but he had to learn screenwriting and directing to get there.
• In India, filmmakers are often forced to fit into studio or festival frameworks, leaving little room for honest storytelling.
• His debut film uses dark comedy and murder mystery to explore deeply personal themes.
• Smart casting can elevate a film: Collaborating with talents like Rajat Kapoor and Sadhana Singh added depth and nuance to his narrative.
• Acting paid the bills: He gave over 700 auditions, landing gigs with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, to financially sustain his filmmaking dream.
• Staying true to his story landed his film at the New York Indian Film Festival, even without ticking the usual “festival film” boxes.
• The industry needs a reboot: There’s a call for better systems to discover new scripts and storytellers, beyond the current studio gatekeeping.

Chapters:

00:00 Highlights
01:02 The Leap from Corporate to Cinema
06:31 Navigating the Filmmaking Landscape
10:35 The Challenge of Authentic Storytelling
17:34 Crafting a Unique Narrative
23:43 The Journey of Kaise Yeh Paheli
28:58 Casting Choices and Poetic Connections
33:29 Funding Challenges and Crowdfunding Insights
36:09 Navigating Genres and Finding Your Voice
39:02 Support for First-Time Filmmakers and Industry Changes

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Mohua Chinappa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohua-chinappa/

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Ananyabrata: https://www.instagram.com/ananyabrata_chakravorty/ 

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