Interview With Movie Director Ashok Gaikwad

Ashok Gaikwad from Real to Reel?

I was a extremely dramatic child, busting with energy and emotions. Knowing at a very early age what to achieve, my path was crystal clear but cryptic. On a school stage with lights from heaven strike and just having my gender altered projecting a women in me, with tons of gold to hold, standing tall as the entire concert hall clapping so loud and long for me to still hear it.

A proven confidence in me ran so hard, I completely submerged myself studying theatre, movies and gathering information from my close ones. Forgetting that an educational system still exists, getting called and thrashed by my very royal and land lordish family seemed so insane.

Carrying enough information, decided to acquire wisdom and a shining future, I headed for Mumbai . Let me narrate a little bit about my big brother in Mumbai. My big brother was very well connected principled, hardworking and ran an automobile garage in chembur. Staying with him, moving with my dreams all over Mumbai and in plain words hoping for a break, I landed up meeting many studio owners. Finding some kind of connection, observing shoots all day long and attending night school got me rolling with lots of intellectual feeds to live on in Mumbai city.

Tagging with the unit for days, without any fees and also been treated as a family was euphoric.My impulse decision helps me a lot, landing up in Ooty for a shoot providing the unit with water, cigarettes, clapping around is all I did. But it’s all about observation. One day during a shoot, again I had my gender in question, wearing a female outfit (duplicate for Saira Banu) and in a runaway car was so abstract. Determined to complete the process in one take, which was very well appreciated by Mahesh kaul a very well known director of our black and white times. Nowadays it’s all about grey right. Getting a standing offer to assist Mahesh kaul was beyond my imagination. Working with him for five years and to be a part of his activity, I felt so privileged . Making many mistakes along the way I learned a lot. As my director used to say please make mistakes so one learns. Becoming his second assistant and making three movies, I decided to move on.

During that period Padosan (directed by Jyoti Swaroop) was in process, working with the unit was amazing. In a short time I became his chief assistant. As Jyoti Swaroop health was not up to the mark, been told to shoot independently for a dance sequence, I gained a lot of confidence. I had two masters Mahesh kaul and Jyoti Swaroop. After many years, I started worked with Raj Sippy and making twenty two movies with him as associate director.

Having been offered many half done movies, even Neetu Singh offered a few, which I refused. Suddenly out of the blue I met a producer who offered me an independent movie with Sanjay Dutt called Sarphira. All went well for about eight reels then the whole mission got canned for some time. Opening my eyes to the brand new commercial world of cut throat competition. Survival of the fittest that the name for the game.

Raj Sippy supported me a lot; I did many independent shots with many stars. Frankly I am a director because of Raj Sippy. In one of the shooting Rekha supported me so much that I had tears in my eye. Inkaar was a box office hit. Doing some independent work on Inkaar and others, Raj Sippy got superstitious and allowed me various independent shots in many movies, almost all did very well.

I was offered a movie called Qatil again a box office hit, providing Shakti Kapoor a hero’s role for the first time. After that I was offered one more movie by the same producer called Doodh ka kraz. Let me name a few movies I made.....
Do Chehre (2009) (coming soon)
Gair (November 5, 1999) (Released)
Maa Kasam (1999) (Released)
Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat (October 18, 1996) (Released)
Fauj (1994) (Released)
Parwane (November 12, 1993) (Released)
Krishan Avtar (June 25, 1993) (Released)
Hasti (May 21, 1993) (Released)
Phool Aur Angaar (April 2, 1993) (Released)
Police Officer (June 5, 1992) (Released)
Sarphira (April 10, 1992) (Released)
Izzat (June 21, 1991) (Released)
Gunhegar Kaun (1991) (Released)
Doodh Ka Karz (August 31, 1990) (Released)
Qatil (1988) (Released)
Boxer (February 17, 1984) (Released)

Making twenty two movies out of which twelve movies are silver jubilee. Having no flops on my name is so relaxing and peaceful. I am so proud to tell you that, we had assistant like Madhur Bandarkar working with us.

At present I am working on a new idea moving around the concept of remand home, this movie is experimental.

Which director you have high regards for?

The most progressive director ever lived is Raj Kapoor . He was way ahead of his times. He changed in time. He made movies for the time. Movies like Mera Naam Joker were way ahead of that period. The first release was a flop; second release was a complete success. Such was the capacity of Raj Kapoor. I remember Bobby was a shocker to me. Raj Kapoor’s intellectual vision was endless.

Has the industry been shot at by terrorism?

Yes in a big way, so many well made movies stay underground because no one wants to invest. The contradiction is deep. Investors think twice and to top it all recession. Big corporate are slashing budgets, actors are demanding less. It’s a vicious circle and we are all caught in it. Also the hype is getting real.

Your last few words?

In this industry one meets so many characters with an open heart. this industry is so accommodative to all, even a mediocre person can do extremely well ,if he or she is passionate enough and willing to give it all that it takes. My best wishes to all.