One
is encompassed by myriad emotions when
suddenly asked to pause and dive into a
retrospective. Having been working incessantly
for over two decades never have I really sat
back and thought about the life gone by. This
seems to be an apt platform for me to drift
back in time and get in touch with what has
evolved me into the person I am.
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Well after graduating in
English Literature, at the cross roads of my
life, I discovered a passion for journalism.
Then destiny intervened in the form of my
father, Mr. A. Sanjivi, a leading film editor,
who asked me to spend my holidays at his editing
room. Consumed with apprehension I stepped into
a world that I had no intention, being a part
of. Hailing from a film family I was well
acquainted with different aspects of film
making, but being an observer and actually being
a part of the process is a different ball game
all together. Working under my father turned out
to be a blessing in disguise, for the simple
reason that he never imposed his ideas of
creativity on me. He allowed me to be and grow
into an individual of my own. This gave me ample
freedom to hone my skills and develop a stamp of
my creativity. And the entire experience got me
hooked and ever since my holiday doesn't seem to
have ended, as I got entwined into the
intoxicating world of cinema.
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The six years that followed
were seeped in hard work, as the confines of the
workplace almost doubled as home, I say this
because, when you are stationed in a place for
more than 18 to 20 hours a day one hardly knows
the difference between time and space. Alongside
I grappled with insecurities that hound anyone
who becomes a part of one of the most
unpredictable professions ever and I was no
exception. Thankfully I had a family who offered
their unflinching support and hence I moved on
undisturbed.
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Fortunately as time passed by,
I went on to becoming an independent editor with
a Hindi feature film called 'Raakh', which could
rightfully be termed as the turning point in my
career. What better way, than kick starting your
career with a national award for your first
independent feature film. With the award came
recognition and a conspicuous change in people's
attitude towards my work.
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Slowly but surely I developed a
definitive perspective towards the process of
filmmaking. As various avenues started opening
up, my interest in different kinds of cinema
grew. I made a conscious effort to be a part of
cinema that was high on quality and posed great
challenges to my creative instincts. My decision
to take chances with numerous low budget films
which were creatively satisfying paid of.
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Cinema
has no boundaries and hence I remain
insatiated, as always will be the case. A new
film, a different character, a mind blowing
perspective, the list is never ending, all of
them infuse and rejuvenate my spirit and I am
raring to go. The journey continues, as there
really never is a destination.
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