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“At 22, I was idealistic and brash when I reviewed films... ”: Shakun Batra
At 22, where were you career-wise?
I had my first film-work experience as a director’s assistant on Don (2006), and I was in a state of pure bliss. I had just returned from Vancouver Film School.
And the money situation...?
I was earning ₹9,000 per month after TDS, and my share of the rent was ₹5,000. On one occasion, I was so broke, I kept watching the fare meter on my rickshaw to check if I had enough money to reach my residence.
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Was there any romance in the air?
I started dating an older girl who was also part of the crew. I remember thinking: This is the life. But our love story fizzled out.
What was your focus in life then?
I was extremely passionate about cinema and I knew I would hustle my way in. I would work 15 hours a day and still show up the next morning, bright and eager.
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What was your mindset like?
I was idealistic. At 22, I was brash when I reviewed films; now I know the hard work that goes into filmmaking.
What was your fashion sense like?
I bought copy clothes from export-surplus stores in Bandra. I largely wore shorts and unironed T-shirts.
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What did you do for fitness?
Thankfully, I had a high metabolism, and was thin and lanky. Also, I would run.
Tell us about your family.
My family was in Delhi while I was sharing a rented apartment in Mumbai with my closest friend from college, Karan. Three other friends – Guru, Nitya and Rohit Dhawan – were like family. And there was Ayesha, who I met on the sets of Don… she writes all my films.
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Tell us your most embarrassing memory from that time.
They made me play the paanwallah in the Khaike Paan Banaraswala song. If ever there was a king of ham, it would be me.
From HT Brunch, January 17, 2021
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