Dearest Delight

She is honest to herself and her craft, that’s the only mantra GAURI SHINDE invests in, the finest of her energies on 70mm to impress the viewers. Her journey from an ad-film director to a filmmaker clearly embodies the phrase ‘One Woman Show’. In this opinionated chat with Gayatri Nirmal, the director speaks about her equation with her renowned husband and filmmaker R Balki, and her zeal for narrating interesting stories. It is impressive to watch this illusionist carve a niche for herself.

- Gayatri Nirmal

From an ad-film director to feature film director, how was the journey?

My journey has shaped up very well. I owe everything to advertising because without that, I don’t think I would have been a filmmaker at all. All my learning and craft is from there.

Are you open to directing films written by others, or will you stick to directing only your stories?

I doubt it very much. My joy comes in what I want to express. I make a film because I really want to say something. I don’t make films as projects, they are my babies. I get completely engrossed in the procedure of making a film with an intense love for it. So that’s why I doubt I would ever be directing someone else’s story. Unless, there’s someone who thinks like me and has a story, then I don’t know.

Would you ever make a formula commercial film?

I’ve learned to say ‘never say never’. I’m not sure if I’m equipped enough to make such formula commercial films.

Do you watch and enjoy them?