Interview with Amit R Agarwal
made by Evelyn Garski
25 March 2008


Hello Amit,

thank you very much for taking the time to answer some questions for www.bollywood-worldwide.com

Information about Indian Cinema and people who work in it, are in its kids shoes here in Europe (except probably UK) compared to India. The interest in it is still growing, and in the last 4-5 years more than before. So I will start with some information about your person and continue with questions about your work. The description about your movie I will take from what is written by yourself

EG: Please would you be so kind to explain a little bit your familiar background (is your family working in film business too?) and do you have any hobbies?

Amit: My family is into the business of Stock-broking and arbitrage. Though, my family was involved in film-exhibition business, we own a cinema-hall in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, so I guess my interest in film-making stemmed from seeing movies. Apart from watching movies and listening to music; my other hobbies include adventure sports (river rafting is a favourite) and dancing (I go clubbing every weekend).

EG: What was the reason for you to become a film maker/director?

Amit: I guess I really liked the idea of telling stories to a group of people through motion pictures (films) rather than through mouth. Also, film-making doesn’t seem like work to me, it is more of a passion, a hobby and I get a high feeling that I am getting paid for my passion.

EG: Where did you get your education in film making?

Amit: Mostly, I am a self-taught film-maker but a three month basic course at AAFT, Noida got me familiar with the technicalities of cinema.

EG: What is your favourite subject in film making and why – drama, comedy, thriller, horror, love story…?

Amit: I love all the subjects (genres) in films. The reason being a film-maker should be versatile, though personally I prefer comedies as comedies are the most challenging to make and I like challenges.

EG: You even worked for TV serials. Please can you tell us a little bit about this time?

Amit: When I came to Mumbai from New Delhi, TV serials were sort of gaining hands-on experience on the shooting floor. Getting to know the intricacies of a film-shoot, like, call-time, scheduling, costume co-ordination, continuity.

EG: If I am right you are working as an actor too. What do you prefer – to be an actor or film maker?

Amit: My first calling is that as a film-maker. Acting happened by chance, one of the actors didn’t turn up for the shoot (he was unwell) and as I didn’t want to hamper the shooting, I stepped in. My act was widely appreciated and a few critics put it as good as the professional and trained actors in the cast. So acting happened to me.

EG: You even wrote some reviews about movies. Are there more “jobs” you are doing”? It seems you are very busy with various work.

Amit: Hmmm! I started off as a freelane-journalist for The Times of India and The Hindustan Times. A couple of publishers liked the way I reviewed films, so I guess I am still reviewing films. It also prepares me, not to make the mistakes other film-makers have made.

EG: What was the reason for you to make the big step from TV to movie?

Amit: I just wanted to grow as a professional and a film-maker.

EG: Are you producing your movies mainly for the Indian market or are there any plans to go overseas in a big way?

Amit: I am trying to make movies that would sell globally. Each new project is bigger than the previous one. We do plan to make a movie targeted at the overseas (international) market.

EG: With your first movie “Virgin….Mira” you went to Europe for some screenings. Did you shot even in Europe some scenes too? Where exactly and why Europe for screening? Are you interested in German locations too?

Amit: We screened the film in Europe, as the film was inspired by a true incident that happened in London with a British girl. Also, a couple of people I knew wanted us to screen the film for them. I took it to Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland. Yes I would love to shoot in Germany.

EG: Do you have contacts to German film companies? Is there any interest in teamwork/business from you or Germans? If yes, what are you looking for?

Amit: No, not yet. I am yet to contact a German film company. Yes, I am interested in business with German film companies. I am ideally looking for the locations and logistics from the German partner, the formalities and modalities can be eventually worked out.

EG: And if you have ever worked with German business partners – were there any cultural problems and misunderstandings by working and if yes, what should be changed?

Amit: No I haven’t worked with German partners yet. I did work with Maldives partners and everything went on very smoothly. In fact, now we are planning another movie in Maldives.

EG: Virgin….Mira was your first movie, released in 2007, right? Your second movie “I AM A LOVE ADDICT” is now in process. When is the releasing and are there any screenings in Europe too?

Amit: I Am A Love Addict should release in December 2008. As of now, we haven’t received any invites from business delegations or cultural organisations to screen the film in Europe, so we have no plans as yet.

EG: You wrote it is a trilogy. Why a trilogy and separated in what? And what makes your movie so special?

Amit: It is a trilogy as it tells the story of the protagonist Honey in three different phases: bachelor, married and divorced. The movie is special because it looks at the falling relationships in India in a humorous manner.

EG: You are not only working in your new movie as film director, you are even acting. Is it a leading role and what character are playing?

Amit: It is the role of the lead protagonist, Honey Kapoor. He is a film-maker, he aspires to make a film. However, his personal life receives a setback when his girlfriend plays games with him.

EG: You mentioned that you want to make a movie in which you would like to have Amitabh Bachchan. What makes AB so special for you? And why not other big names like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan or Akshay Kumar?

Amit: Well Amitabh Bachchan is the biggest Bollywood name to roll out of Hindi Film Industry. He is the only actor who despite being off the media for almost two decades ruled Bollywood. His super-stardom was final, whereas right now there is no one superstar; some people like Aamir, others Salman, Shahrukh or Akshay. Also Amitabh’s draw is unmatched till date KBC with Amitabh was a big hit and catapulted STAR (number three before KBC) to top; whereas KBC with Shahrukh was yanked as it didn’t perform as expected, it didn’t lift STAR’s fortunes. Also Amitabh is very versatile with a variety of roles to his credit.

EG: Did you ever work with other celebrities?

Amit: Yes a couple of them.

EG: Do you think that the understanding from Europeans for your movie and other movies from Bollywood is different from those of Indians?

Amit: Yes and the reason for it is the difference in culture.

EG: Please can you tell me something about your production company “popcorn flicks”?

Amit: Popcorn flicks is registered with Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers in Bombay (Mumbai). We line produce, co-produce movies that are high on thematic content. Our endeavour is to nurture new talent.

EG: After releasing your movie “I AM A LOVE ADDICT”, what are your next projects? Any visions, dreams?

Amit: We are starting a new film in April-May 08. It is a black comedy. The ultimate dream is to see popcorn flicks as one of the top-most production-houses by 2015.

EG: Thank you very much again for replying to all the questions. Please keep our readers update with upcoming projects and information. I´m sure they really appreciate it.

We from bollywood-worldwide.com wish you all the best and a lot of success.

Amit: Thanks a lot Evelyn and everyone at bollywood-worldwide.com