Himanshu Malik: When I wanted to act, I struggled to find opportunities; now that I’m focused on directing people are encouraging me to act – Exclusive

Himanshu Malik was one of the crucial sought-after fashions again within the 90s. He was profitable in making a transition to performing as he featured in films like Tum Bin (2001), Khwaish (2003) and LOC: Kargil (2003). However his profession as an actor phased out, though he did make sporadic appearances in films like Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) and seven Hours To Go (2016). Himanshu then transitioned to path and manufacturing, together with his first movie Chitrakut, which launched in theatres final yr. Now his maiden manufacturing goes to be launched this weekend on OTT with Jio Cinema. The movie will begin streaming on the OTT platform from Could 27. ETimes reached out to the model-turned-actor/director to speak about his new journey as a filmmaker and his previous experiences each in entrance and behind the digicam.
‘Chiktrakut’ was launched in theaters final yr. Are you able to inform us in regards to the journey and why it took 12 months to return to an OTT platform?
Final yr, many OTT platforms weren’t specializing in Hindi movies because of the success of South Indian movies. The recognition of South Indian films led to an absence of consideration in the direction of Hindi movies, and even the highest 5 platforms weren’t displaying curiosity. Movies from Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam industries had been doing exceptionally nicely, making it difficult for unbiased movies like ours to realize traction. We had been acquired by Jio Cinemas in November 2022, however the launch stored getting delayed. Initially, it was deliberate for March or April, then throughout the IPL, and now it is after the IPL. It appears to be Jio’s technique for releasing movies. For an unbiased movie, it is at all times a wrestle to get observed and collect an viewers. Nonetheless, as an unbiased producer, you get accustomed to dealing with challenges and persisting. Ultimately, somebody within the Jio group noticed the movie, appreciated it, and determined to again it. And right here we’re.

Was it difficult to make and launch this movie? How do you mirror on the journey and when did all of it begin?
The journey began in 2018 after I started writing the movie. We shot it in 2019. Unbiased movies include their very own set of battles and challenges. Nonetheless, additionally they supply moments of artistic freedom. As an unbiased filmmaker, you might have the freedom to pursue your artistic imaginative and prescient with a small finances and a passionate crew. However the pandemic posed important challenges for us. We had been within the early levels of manufacturing when it hit. Previous to the pandemic, we had a proposal from Netflix, however we had been undecided in regards to the distribution mannequin. Nonetheless, every thing modified with the pandemic, and we witnessed a surge of stars turning to OTT platforms. It was a troublesome section, and decision-making was placed on maintain for the primary 4 months. Ultimately, we persevered with a robust group and supportive companions. We additionally had the pleasure of getting Majid Majidi respect the movie and be part of the solid. Total, it was a journey stuffed with challenges and studying experiences.
Manufacturing and performing are two distinct processes. Did the transition to changing into a producer shock you, particularly because you come from an performing background?
Completely. Producing and performing are like two completely different worlds. The expertise of manufacturing the movie was much more fascinating for me than directing it. I had directed a brief movie earlier than, so I used to be conversant in that facet. Nonetheless, producing was a completely completely different mindset and a singular world. It is the alternative of the artistic course of, but it surely has its personal joys and challenges. As an actor, I used to assume that manufacturing was only a essential job, however that notion modified utterly. It’s a artistic house that requires continuously discovering revolutionary options. Manufacturing is very people-intensive, and you must cope with real-time conditions and sudden requests. You possibly can’t flip a blind eye when somebody in your group asks for assist, even when it is private. It was a humbling expertise, and I acquired assist and love from sudden sources. Individuals stepped as much as assist, though it wasn’t a big-budget movie. It made me respect the presence of such people. It’s been a terrific pleasure to be a part of the manufacturing course of.
How do you mirror in your performing profession now that you have transitioned into being a director and producer?
It is an attention-grabbing perspective as a result of, in changing into a director and producer, I’ve developed a newfound respect for actors. Having been an actor myself, I perceive the challenges concerned. It is not simply in regards to the enterprise facet; the craft of performing requires emotional vulnerability and being persistently on level. After I first shared my plans to provide with my household, they discovered it amusing as a result of I had by no means even organised a party earlier than. They joked about needing an ambulance on set and ensuring everybody had water. It was fairly a change, however general, it has been a joyful expertise.

Trying again, do you are feeling that you have grown as a person by producing this movie?
Sure. I consider I am lastly coming into my very own, discovering who I’m and what I wish to be. Reflecting on my performing journey, I realised one thing was lacking, and this function as a filmmaker seems like my final calling. What’s attention-grabbing is that I am totally self-taught. I did not attend movie college or work as an assistant. Nonetheless, I spent a major period of time on units, studying the fundamentals and observing numerous facets like lensing and modifying. My intuition performs a major function in my work. Furthermore, being an actor myself helps me perceive the artwork of storytelling, as actors are pure storytellers. Many profitable filmmakers have an performing background, and it makes a major distinction. Working with administrators like Ram Gopal Varma and Mahesh Manjrekar, who perceive actors nicely, additional strengthened this perception. So, being an actor has been my biggest benefit.
Throughout your performing profession, did you ever think about transitioning into character roles, supporting roles, and even tv? How did you navigate that section in your profession?
When the affords for the sort of movies and roles I wished began to dwindle, I used to be open to enjoying character roles. I by no means had a fixation on being the principle lead or protagonist; that did not matter to me. Nonetheless, as a result of my look, folks did not think about me for character roles. Many pals engaged on attention-grabbing movies informed me that they could not solid me as a result of I regarded like a hero, not a personality. It was irritating as a result of I wished to be an actor, not only a showman dancing in sun shades underneath the solar. The trade had this notion that heroes ought to have dance coaching, battle coaching, and horse using expertise. I wished to give attention to performing, not showmanship. Being from a non-filmy background, I did not have the star baggage. I got here from an engineering background in Delhi with a want to be within the artistic area. Tv usually got here with enticing financial affords, however the storytelling high quality upset me. At any time when I thought of a TV function, I might test the standard of the story and realise it wasn’t one thing I may do. It wasn’t appropriate for me; I assumed it could result in melancholy. It was difficult to seek out my means, however I additionally noticed that the tales I noticed in actual life weren’t being portrayed in movies.

Are you able to inform us in regards to the sort of storytelling you had been on the lookout for in your movies? Had been they city tales or maybe films like that of Woody Allen?
Positively, I am drawn to city tales. Many city narratives are dominated by the town itself, and the characters usually really feel overwhelmed by it. Whether or not it is tales set in Mumbai or Delhi, the town turns into a central ingredient that influences your entire narrative. People usually wrestle to seek out their id within the metropolis, the place the sense of group shouldn’t be as tightly knit. I wished to discover tales of middle-class city characters who’re misplaced and trying to find their place on this unstructured city setting. I’ve at all times been a fan of Woody Allen and Stanley Kubrick, as they inform deeply human tales inside a selected setting. They’ve been a terrific inspiration for me to inform my very own tales. For instance, ‘Chitrakut’ explores how 5 people seek for love, difficult the notion of preferrred love and emphasising the evolving nature of relationships. Love is ethereal and transformative, and it leaves an enduring impression on people as they develop and alter.
What’s subsequent for you in your profession as a director and storyteller?
I am at present engaged on a venture primarily based on one of many Hindu epics. I’ve a deep admiration for these epics and consider they include unimaginable tales. I really feel it is necessary to introduce these tales to the youthful era and make them extra accessible. Through the making of ‘Chitrakut’, I used to be shocked to find that many individuals had been unaware of its origins. After I requested about it, folks would confuse it with characters from Vikram Betal or Indrajal Comics. The lack of know-how about our personal epics among the many youthful era is regarding. We must always have a greater understanding of those nice tales. Whereas we had the benefit of tv reveals like Ramayan and Mahabharat up to now, which offered a visible illustration, we have to retell these tales in a means that helps folks grasp their depth and significance with out being overly sophisticated. So, that is my present focus and I hope to carry these tales to life in a significant means.
Will you proceed performing alongside your directing and producing endeavours?
It is truly fairly attention-grabbing as a result of I have been taking over performing gigs these days. I am engaged on a movie with R Madhavan, one other one with Janhvi Kapoor, and an internet sequence with filmmaker Ken Ghosh. As a filmmaker, after I pitch tasks to producers, they usually recommend that I act as nicely as a result of they discover me appropriate for sure roles. It is amusing how the state of affairs has modified. After I wished to behave, I struggled to seek out performing alternatives, and now that I am targeted on directing and producing, persons are encouraging me to behave. Nonetheless, I am having fun with this section of performing, too. It offers a break from my directing and producing obligations and provides an thrilling problem to my artistic journey. Whether or not I am performing or telling tales behind the digicam, so long as there is a artistic spark, I discover it fulfilling.