Why the love genre comes naturally to film director Vivek Soni
'I want to say it with a nazariya,' he says.Aap Jaisa Koi comes at a time when the genre has seen a major fillip with soundtracks of Anurag Basu's MetroIn Dino and Mohit Suri's Saiyaara generating much buzz. After a dry spell at the box-office, the genre received a sizeable boost with a decent performance of Basu's film and a surprise bumper opening for Saiyaara in the range of Rs 15-20 crore.In Aap Jaisa Koi, Soni works with Madhavan, a veteran actor whose charm is one of the winning attributes of the film. 'He is a wonderful actor, so easy to work with. He doesn't think of a scene as his alone,' says Soni. 'He surrendered to the process.'At the same time, Madhavan also contributed, given his experience and own stint as a director (Rocketry: The Nambi Effect). 'He (Madhavan) had thoughts on how we could enhance the script; he is open to magical, spontaneous moments,' adds Soni.Landscape is paramount to Soni's narrative style. 'It's what comes first when I decide a story; it's as important as the crux of the story,' he says. 'I love films which give me an immersive experience, take me to a place and a feeling that I crave for. I try to give the same essence to the audience.' In Aap Jaisa Koi, it's Kolkata and Jamshedpur that form the backdrop against which two hearts bond.Interestingly, Soni's filmmaking experience prior to his directorial debut is in stark contrast to the genre he's associated with. He assisted Abhishek Chaubey on Udta Punjab and Sonchiriya and then worked with Honey Trehan on Raat Akeli Hai.Being on the sets of these films was, if not more, as beneficial as being in film school. 'You learn on the ground' says Soni. 'You realise filmmaking is not about handling ego but pushing the cast and crew and getting the best out of them. How do you bring people from different sets of mind and cultures and different approaches to filmmaking on your page and understand your vision?' More than what to do, he says, these stints taught him what not to do.advertisementWith filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and Govind Nihalani as favourites and his penchant for all genres, Soni says it's just mere coincidence that his first three efforts are in the lighter space. 'Perhaps after five years, I will make a gritty, dark film,' he says. 'What's important is to listen to your gut. Whatever it is must come from within.'For now, though, Soni is glad to be working with the Dharma banner, which has produced all his films. 'The kind of creative freedom you get, it's rare to find it. You feel empowered; there is trust,' he says. 'You can tell a story the way you want. That's what a creative person strives for.'Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends
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