Wednesday

Entertainment

Mastermind Manish Acharya

Having graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program, writer and director Manish Acharya is a multiple award winner. But what’s even cooler is that in addition to an MFA in Film Directing, Manish also has degrees in Physics and Industrial Relations! Before attending NYU, Acharya was the founding member of a successful software company that went public in 1998. Who would’ve thought that!

 

It was at NYU, that Manish directed three short films. One film Partner (2001) was awarded the Carl Lerner Award for a Film with Social Significance, as well as multiple awards for acting and editing.

 

However, Manish has been creating a lot of buzz recently as his latest film Loins of Punjab Presents, attained the Dennis Riese Award by NYU faculty. In addition to that Loins of Punjab…, has also won the Best Feature Film award at the 65^th Annual First Run Film Festival.

 

Manish has been written about in the Wall Street Journal, CNN-IBN, The Telegraph, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and many other publications! And of course at Brvura Artist Magazine, we want to keep you face-to-face with the hottest and latest entertainment out there, so we had a chance to steal some of Manish’s time while traveling between New York and Mumbai.

 

Manish, for those who aren’t familiar with who you are and what you do, give us a quick one-liner!

I am a millionaire playboy who solves mind-boggling mysteries in his free time. And occasionally, I also write, direct and act in feature films.

 

When did your relationship with “film” first begin?

I was an only child, and movies were my friends. I still feel the magic when the lights go down and there is a slight hush before the movie starts.

 

Was your family supportive from the start?

My family has always been madly supportive. I use the word ‘madly’ because I am not sure why they believe in me given my meager talents.

 

What was the first film you wrote or directed?

My first short film was a B&W movie called the “The Driver” starring Ajay Naidu. My first feature is “Loins Of Punjab Presents.”

 

Manish you’re recently known as the Writer and Director of the film “Loins of Punjab Presents.” Tell us how you created the concept of this story.

I was sitting at a Starbucks in midtown Manhattan with a friend and we started talking about people who take part in Bollywood singing contests. And I suddenly realized that I really wanted to see a film with these folks on screen. And since there wasn’t one out there, I had to go and make it.

 

You play the character “Vikram Tejwani.” Give us some further insight towards your character.

He is a kind, considerate, shy man who seeks comfort in the objective reality of numbers. If I was a woman, I’d date him.

 

What is the thought process which goes behind the selection of who would be cast in your film?

I always look for an actor who can take direction, who is capable of executing multiple interpretations and gradations of an emotion, and whose eyes are alive!

 

What was your initial reaction when you knew Shabana Azmi would be working in your film?

I went up to the bow of my ship, lit my pipe, and stared into the blue horizon, because I was happy.

 

What was it like directing an actress such as Shabana Azmi?

Difficult, as we all know how little talent she really has. Okay … jokes aside, she was a pleasure to work with. No airs, no diva-like behavior, just a consummate professional. A wonderful actor and a terrific human being.

 

What projects are you currently working on right now?

Three different films. One is a comic thriller set in Tokyo and Mumbai. One is a heist film. And the third one is a comedy about a female journalist and the lengths she goes to for a story.

 

What can we see from you in the coming future?

Well, LOINS OF PUNJAB should be releasing across the US soon, and so that is probably what most of your readers will see in the near future. You guys will go see it, right?

 

Of course I’ll be there! So Manish, if you weren’t into the film industry right now, what do you think you would be doing?

Running a jazz bar, on a Caribbean island. Well, either that, or I’d be a software engineer in Silicon Valley. Such a tough choice.

 

If you could direct a movie in Hollywood, which two leads would you most want to work with?

George Clooney and Natalie Portman.

 

What about a Bollywood movie?

Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

 

Interesting choices! What advice do you have for those who want to make a career in the film industry?

Find an open window when the door is slammed in your face.

 

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Artist Magazine?

Turn the page quickly, my madness may be contagious. Thank you Tirusha and thank you Bravura! Make sure you guys check out “Loins of Punjab” at a theatre near you!