“When I was a teenager, I had a simple dream – to tell stories through the camera. But life wasn’t as clear-cut as my vision. Like many others, I had to navigate through the expectations of my parents and society before finding my footing.
I still remember the day my parents convinced me to join engineering. It wasn’t my choice, but I preferred it to be the safest route. Also, their promise of buying me a DSLR sealed the deal. Back then, my interest in arts and creativity space lacked clarity. I accepted engineering. True to their word, they got me the camera.
That DSLR became my window to the world I wanted to create. While attending classes, I began experimenting – working as an amateur cinematographer in short films and music videos. My mom, and my dad always supported me in their own way, giving me the freedom to explore. My sister is in college now, and life at home was busy yet encouraging.
One day, a friend asked me to photograph their wedding. I took the opportunity, poured my heart into it, and soon, through word of mouth, more friends started reaching out. By the time I was 20, a group of us had launched a venture called Sandwitch, which dissolved soon after, and this urge to start something new made me start my own venture – Love Locks Studios, a wedding photography venture.
As my college days ended, I stood at a crossroads. Should I pursue filmmaking courses or dive headfirst into being someone’s assistant or intern? By then, I hadn’t asked my parents for money in years. I managed every upgrade – laptops, cameras, shopping, outings – through my earnings.
During this time, a job (from the cinema industry) offer came my way through Facebook. Excited, I joined, only to be told a few weeks later that my role on the project was no longer required. It was a blow. My career seemed uncertain.
But sometimes, setbacks push you to rediscover your strength. I asked myself – “Why shouldn’t I invest my mind to direct my own short film?!” I wrote a script and directed my first short film a year after finishing college.
As opportunities came in, I started working with brands under my new venture, Elevate Production. Together with a team of more than a dozen creators, we built a brand, completing over 1,000 projects.
Along the way, my wife became my rock. We had been friends for six years before tying the knot, and now, we have a beautiful two-year-old child. She stood by me during every high and low, even when COVID-19 slowed my dreams.
The pandemic hit my business hard, leaving me in financial trouble for a year. At one point, I considered selling the company. But a friend lent me money and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. That year taught me the ropes of running a business. Slowly, I rebuilt everything from the ground up.
When my business stabilized last year, I returned to my first love – short films. I directed a few short films, and got recognised for them, and that gave me the confidence to pursue my goal. With a dozen people in my team, scripts ready to pitch to producers, and a few recognitions under my belt, I am finally chasing my dream of becoming a filmmaker.
This journey has taught me a vital lesson: “Even when things don’t go as planned, never stop planning. It’s the act of planning that sets you in motion toward something meaningful.”