Aai Shapat director Gautam Vaze: Big thing to get a National Film Award

Tell us about the National Award win.

Honestly, the National Award was unbelievable. In 2017 the film was out but I missed the censor certificate deadline and was cursing my self for it, but in 2018 I got the censor certificate and finally applied for the National Awards. It is a big thing for anyone in India to get an award from the government, that too from the President of India.

Why did you decide to make this short featuring a child’s story?

A child’s mind always fascinates me. I am always curious about how children think and process their thoughts and beliefs. I have always wondered what really goes on in a child’s mind, how and why is their perspective on things so unique. This is the story of a small boy and how he is brought up in a god-fearing community. I believe a child’s mind is perfect as is because there is nothing right or wrong for them, unless some elderly person shapes it in a certain way. Aai Shapat, in a way, is about that.

What projects are you working on now?

Well, I have been working in this industry for the past twelve years. For many years I had a great career as a line producer on feature films (Gori Tere Pyar Mein, Hasee Toh Phasee), ad films and foreign productions. My company still provides production service for international producers. I have also been producing lots of TVCs under my banner Full Circle Communications. And now, I have started directing too. Aai Shapat was my first directorial venture. My second short film recently got jury mention award at Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival.