Baby Steps to Big Leap

The nominees for the Most Promising Debut Director have all celebrated experimentation. While Ayan Mukerji’s Wake Up Sid is sweet and underplayed; Nandita Das’s Firaaq carries a strong social message; Sankat City is a small-budget caper film; Frozen,by Shivajee Chandrabhushan,brought back black-and-white cinema; and Zoya Akhtar’s Luck By Chance is an entertainer.

Each film excelled in its own way. Luck By Chance,Wake Up Sid and Sankat City raked in big bucks at the box office,while Frozen and Firaaq brought home several international awards. But it’s recognition within Bollywood that they all crave.

“I’m most excited about this award because the members of the jury are part of the industry. The fact that people within the industry have nominated us is the most fulfilling thought,” says Advani.

Each of these directors has managed to make a mark with their first baby,but getting here has not been easy. “I did everything short of stealing money in order to finance and release my film,” says Chandrabhushan,the 38-year-old director of Frozen.

Mukerji,director of Wake Up Sid,agrees that his struggle was made easier because of his film background. To have a big production house like Dharma back you on your first project is a dream-come-true for most newcomers,“but at the end of it,you can’t force your audience to like the film,” he says.

Winning an award could make their next dream project easier. “If I do win,I’m going to get on that stage,go down on my knees and ask for money to make my next film,” says Chandrabhushan.