A Conversation with Film-Director, Amole Gupte: Let's Get Candid.

Having written and directed many acclaimed films such as Taare Zameen Par, Stanley Ka Dabba, Haw Hawai, Saina and  Sniff, Amole Gupte is also an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, painter, child-rights activist and singer.

Some of the acting roles he is well known for are in Holi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Kaminey, Phas Gaye Re Obama, Urmi, Stanley Ka Dabba, Bheja Fry 2, Singham Returns, Ek Tara, Sniff and Mumbai Saga.

He has won numerous awards for his writing and filmmaking skills and acting skills. He is also a social media activist and has been working with children for over 15 years. He was the chairperson of the Children's Film Society,, India from 2012 to 2015.

 

Let’s get candid with Amole Gupte!

 

1) What has motivated you most to pursue not only acting but also writing and directing Indian cinema?

Amole: I squatted on the Holy soil of FTII Pune for 12 years, from 1981 to 1993… surely, the happiest years of my life… watching and re-watching world cinema masterpieces. The new art form of the last millennium was a heady mix for me! Had to practice all the components of this hundred-year-old art - writing, directing, acting, dubbing, songwriting, singing… participating as an actor in over a hundred student films there. 

2) How was working with your wife Deepa Bhatia and son Partho Gupte?

Amole: Always pleasurable! Taare Zameen Par, Stanley Ja Dabba, Hawaa Hawaai are prime examples of our collaboration. They both have a film life outside of me - Deepa is a top-end film editor (TZP, My Name Is Khan, Rock On, Kai Po Che, Sachin Tendulkar, Raees and 25 other films and a director of repute with documentary films like ‘Nero’s Guests’ and the documentary series ‘First Act’ currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

As for Pārthō’s journey… having won the National Award, Filmfare, Screen and Shchingel International Children’s Film Festival (Germany) Best Actor’s Award, he gravitated to filmmaking at the age of 14 and beat a path for himself with an award-winning short film… jewels like Pigeonhood, Jasmine Stung and Shine And Shade. He graduated from The School Of Cinematic Arts, USC in Los Angeles and post his graduation, he wrote, photographed, produced and directed his first feature-length film which he is currently editing in Mumbai. Fun Film Family!!!

3) What was the most challenging film that you have worked on?

Amole: Film is never a challenge… film is our life… Cine Maa! Long Live!!!

4) Have you ever had to enact a character that was in opposition to your values and morals?

Amole: Always!!!!!! They cast me as the Villain repeatedly!!! Always the dark… Always the immoral!!! I get to exorcise my demons on screen!!! The great actor Nilu Phule used to do just that! A social reformer in real life and a villain in reel life!!!

5) What techniques do you use to make your character development more believable?

Amole: Research plays a big part in building the flesh, blood and skin of the characters I play. The gestures, tone and layers of each dark character then determine my journey and not otherwise. The parameters are set by the character.

6) If you had personality differences with your performing partner, how would you ensure it did not affect the performance?

Amole: I answered that in the earlier question. While playing a character that is antithetical to my personality, I let the character determine my on-screen personality.

7) How do you try to expand your film knowledge and ability?

Amole: “The Child Is The Father Of The Man” my son Pārthō is my Guru! There has been a role reversal! As we stand, Pārthō is twice as knowledgeable… in literature, the allied arts and cinema. He’s taken over the mantle of educating me. I’m graced.

8) What are your plans as a writer and director?

Amole: “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans… “ sō said John Lennon… I follow his paradigm and face life one day at a time and I’ve done this all my 61 years of waking life. In the meantime, I make a cup of tea for all at home.

9) How do you stay mentally and physically healthy as a film writer and director?

Amole: Tacit faith in the Guy Upstairs… Who has given me the sense of observation and documentation of society, the basis which I try to create.m with a healthy, neutral mind and a well-exercised body. Keep it simple.