Once a popular name in television serials and modelling circuit, Samir Soni has now turned to direction with “My Birthday Song”. A psychological thriller, the film has Sanjay Suri and Nora Fatehi in lead roles.
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It took me three years and thirteen drafts. As it is a thriller, it really needed to be tight. The idea evolved an accidental death and I built the whole narrative around it. I like films which stimulate mentally, not just in terms of philosophical or intellectual way, but as a wholesome experience that keeps the audience engaged.
Was there any inspiration?
In India, there are not many psychological thrillers so obviously one looks outside of the country. If you are writing a thriller, filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Christopher Nolan are great to look at and I personally like to watch good thrillers. So there were many thoughts that occupied my mind subconsciously.
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In India, the genre has not been exploited much?
There are thrillers like Kahaani which was superb. It is partly because writing a proper thriller, especially a psychological thriller, is a different ball game. It depends on the plot and if it is not able to hold you, then the whole film falls apart, no matter how brilliantly the actors play their parts. Some films’ budget might go beyond 500 crore rupees but there is an audience who likes to watch a smaller film if it is made well and we just need to tap that audience.
What sells then?
The industry is going to produce those films which make more money. In our industry, there is a herd mentality. When one kind of film does well, everyone follows to make copies of that film on the same formula. When Mary Kom did well, there was a line of biopics and that is same for films that came after Band Baaja Baarat or Dabangg . In the end, it is only economics as nobody is going to take risks.
That made you direct a film yourself…
That was not the plan as I only wrote the script without thinking of anything. There is a writer within everyone and I am no different as I just wrote down what spurred my imagination. The idea is with me for a long time and I was advised to direct it.
How different is the experience on the other side of the camera ?
If you pick the right people for the right job you do not have to do much. A director should have the clear vision of what he wants to do and expects from the team. he should inspire them to achieve that by providing a conducive environment . As far as working with actors is concerned, you should not tell the actor how to act. That is why you cast professional actors. It is the casting which sometimes goes wrong. There can be a good or bad actor for the same role.
How was Sanjay Suri as a producer?
It is very inspiring to see Sanjay’s journey from My Brother Nikhil as very early in his career he produced a film. He has experience which many people will not have because he has gone through many phases in his career. He makes films which he believes in. He is not after money but wants to contribute to cinema.
You are acting in a show on a digital platform. Did you think of choosing the digital platform for releasing the film?
It is very interesting to understand the audience, which is primarily youth in a digital platform, and they are smarter than what we think they are. We need to challenge them. As far as releasing a film on it is concerned, I do not understand it and do not know where it is heading. We have an idea of film industry and I always thought of it as a feature film. When I have a chance to show it in theatre, I cannot miss that as it is a different experience and it may have a release on digital platforms in future.