The movie: Bheja Fry
The director: Sagar Bellary, 32
I am from Mumbai. After college I joined Zee TV and worked on their children's program Teer Kaman as an assistant cameraman. After that I assisted Kannada film directors. While in college I was more into theatre -- acting, directing, singing -- and really liked audiovisual as a medium. I chose direction because it gave me ultimate control.
The struggling years: I struggled for 12 years. I went to the Satyajit Ray Institute and learnt screenplay and direction for 4 years. Then I started assisting directors: learning the craft, market, the business and the technical aspect. When I was assisting Rajat Kapoor on Mixed Doubles, the producer Sunil Doshi asked me whether I had any story that can be made within a small budget. That's when I gave him the idea of Bheja Fry.
Why it worked?: Vinay Pathak (actor) was the best thing in Bheja Fry. He excelled in his role. I had full faith in him as my producer had in me.
If he could change something... I would like to change the budget. We did the movie in Rs 52 lakh. If we had a bigger budget it could have been technically better -- better costumes, bigger stars, better locations. But all said and done I would not want to change anything now.
Was success expected? Yes and No. Yes because I thought that people will like it and notice me. Producers would think of giving one more chance. No because I thought the marketing was not upto the mark. People came to watch it through word of mouth. And the best part is that our collection amounted to Rs 15 crores and growing. It is still running in Banglore.
What next? I am doing a children's film called Kachcha Limbu (Raw Lime) and is about how my hero Shambu becomes Pucca limbu (Ripe Lime) from a Kachcha limbu.
Also Read: Watch Bheja Fry for Vinay
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