Interview in movieroundup.in

Exclusive Interview: Sandeep Mohan on ‘Love, Wrinkle-free’

Life has been the biggest teacher and I remember the time spent in schools and colleges as time spent making friends and accumulating life experiences. Beyond that, I think the educational system is programmed to churn out rats who will join the rat race. It abhors those who have an imaginative mind and who have a mind of their own. I’ve heard that things are changing now and I’m hopeful of the future, says Sandeep Mohan, director of upcoming film ‘Love, Wrinkle-free’ in an exclusive interview with ‘MovieRoundup’.

When did you realize you wanted to be a filmmaker and why?

I didn’t know that I wanted to be a filmmaker till I was 21. I had an interest in writing and reading and used to write a bit. Also advertising excited me and slowly I found myself gravitating towards good movies. Can’t remember an exact time when this accident happened

How did your family react to your decision of becoming a filmmaker?

I take my own decisions. I don’t have to ask my family what I need to do in life. Isn’t that what colleges are supposed to do – to make you sensible enough to take decisions in life. My parents were smart enough to leave me alone realising that this is where my heart lies. I thank them for that.

So many filmmakers have come and gone. Did you ever fear that you may also be one among them?

I don’t have any such fears. Everyone in this world comes and goes. So the rule applies to everyone, not just filmmakers. I’m happy observing life, writing stories and filming them. The only thing that can stop you is yourself. Frankly I’m a positive guy who thinks about what is possible and don’t devote time to many negative thoughts.

How did the story behind ‘Love, wrinkle-free’ fall in place?

When I look around, I see that Urban Indians are getting more and more obsessed with looks, youth and smooth skin. A country that prided so much on the “internal growth” once upon a time is falling prey to”external” – look at the number of health clubs, skin clinics etc mushrooming around us. I wanted to explore this theme, and also the pressure that youth and looks places on a simple middle-class family, and that is how”Love, Wrinkle-free” was born.

Your film title ‘Love, Wrinkle-free’ and the plot pretty much go hand-in-hand however not all films follow the same. Do you think the title and plot should go hand-in-hand and why?

I can’t comment about others, but for me, it has to go hand-in-hand. The title promises something, so it makes sense for me to keep it as close in toneto the theme.

After having worked in films such as Sins and Good Night / Good Morning; how was it working with Seema Rahmani? How do you define her as an actress?

She is one of the most natural actresses in India and I was super impressed with her performance in Love, Wrinkle-free. She is a no-nonsense, intelligent and well-traveled actress and she brings all this experience to any role that she does. I am happy to have got an opportunity to direct her in my first movie. Also I’m glad that our ensemble cast of Ash Chandler, Shernaz Patel, Ashwin Mushran, Sohrab Ardeshir and Arika have done a fabulous job and Love, Wrinkle-free works big time because of them.

What challenges did you encounter in making this project take off?

Many challenges. Another name for indie filmmaking is ‘Challenges’ i think:)Right from getting the funds to casting to getting locations to marketing, everything is a challenge. In my case, my producers were based in the US, andhence I had the added responsibility of taking care of the Production of the movie. So my house became the Production office and from here, my dedicated team went about the pre production. I went to Goa countless times to get thingsorganised. All this really helped us keep the budget very tight. But frankly, I have no complains, i knew it was going to be challenging, and hence was prepared for it. So it is all fine and I thank my investors and everyone involved for trusting me with so much responsibility.

How do you define success for a filmmaker? Monetary or credentials or sheer satisfaction at the end of the day for having completed the film. Define it in your own words?

Each filmmaker has his or her own way of defining success. Success for me is being able to get funds to make my next film. Rest doesn’t matter, or it will fall into place. Passion drives me and if i am financially covered while following this passion, nothing like it. Otherwise, I will still fight it out. Frankly, I don’t like to define things. Each to himself or herself. Defining it makes it look too easy and formulaic, and I am no expert to define.
If you were to remake any film then which film would you have chosen and why?
I am not interested in making any remakes since I have many original stories. Sometimes i think that I might die before I am able to film all of them. So remakes, I will leave it to other filmmakers who have an interest in them.
There are zillions of aspiring filmmakers wanting to make it big. What will be your advice to them?

Follow your heart. Don’t get swayed by what I say or any other filmmaker says. Be independent, write a good script which has a heart, don’t follow any formulas, and go ahead and do it. If me, a simple middle class guy from Vikhroli can do it, you can too. Also do go and watch Love, Wrinkle-free on the 25th May and see how low budget movies are made

Rapid Fire:
Favourite film: Annie  Hall
Favourite actor: Paul Giammeti, Owen Wilson
Favourite director: Woody Allen
One actor/director you envy: Woody Allen
One film you’d love to be part of: Annie Hall