It was difficult to conduct multiple language shooting simultaneously: Ajay Kumar Singh

Producer and actor Ajay Kumar Singh is currently shooting for an adaptation of the Spanish film “Julia’s Eyes”, which he is producing in four languages. In a quick chat, he talks about his movies, lead actresses, and challenges while shooting. Read on:

You are producing a film in four languages. How difficult was it to shoot?

I am producing the adaptation of the Spanish film “Julia’s Eyes” in Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, and Tamil, which are titled, “Adrushya”, “Antardrishti”, “Aghochra” and “Un Paarvail”, respectively. Though it was a good experience, it would be a lie if I said it was easy. It was difficult to conduct multiple languages shooting simultaneously.

Can you share your experience of working with Rituparna Sengupta and Manjari Fadnnis?

Rituparna Sengupta and Manjari Fadnnis, both are brilliant actresses and are very supportive. I had planned to shoot two films at one time and was a little apprehensive that there might be competition between them or arguments, but they both gave their best without any disputes. They enjoy the food at one table.

Have you completed the Marathi and Bengali versions?

The Marathi and Bengali films are 95% complete. We had some date issues so the shoot was extended. Both are busy actresses and we understand their commitments. We have requested them for dates again after we complete the Tamil and Telugu films. The Tamil and Telugu films’ shooting began on February 15.

What about the actors in the Telugu and Tamil films?

Parvati Nair, who was born in Abu Dhabi but is living in Chennai, is playing the lead in the Tamil film “Un Paarvail”. She is a very nice and talented actress. In the Telugu film “Aghochra” we have Isha Chawla. She is from Delhi but she speaks Telugu fluently.

Did you face any language issues?

I don’t know Tamil and Telugu at all. When two people were discussing I was just nodding my head saying yes only. I tried to get the knowledge of both the languages by speaking. But I know a little bit of Bengali and Marathi. It was a very good experience.

What are the qualities of a good filmmaker?

The first quality of a filmmaker is that he or she should be a good planner. They should have strong leadership qualities and should also possess good communication skills. I also feel the knowledge of the language is very important. And lastly, I feel when the director closes his or her eyes they should be able to visualize their movie. They should have a clear vision of what they want to make.

Filmmaking involves coordinating with a lot of departments. How do you multitask?

Yes, it does. I had around 110 crew members from Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. It is very challenging, and it was a lot more difficult during the COVID times. We had to manage everybody’s food, do regular health checkups, and then travel with a lot of precautions.

What do you do when an actor is being unprofessional? 

Yes, there are a lot of actors who sometimes behave unprofessionally on the set. But I handle it smoothly and talk to them about it. However, I make sure that I talk to them alone and not in front of the cast and crew just to belittle them.

How do you handle any arguments or discussions in the team?

We are all in a business working for our creative satisfactions. So I try to make them understand the situation without dragging it a lot. I don’t give a strong reply but handle it smoothly.