The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) featured a captivating session titled “Passion for Perfection: Ramesh Sippy’s Philosophy”, which was a rich exploration into the lives and artistry of some of the most eminent pioneers of Indian cinema. This session highlighting the blazing career of Ramesh Sippy was conducted by Mohit Soni, CEO of Media and Entertainment Skills Council.
The session started with an introduction by Mohit Soni, who emphasized on the unique opportunity to learn from Ramesh Sippy’s vast experience and delve deeper into his definition of perfection. The conversation started with a reflection on Sippy’s early days in the industry, starting with his short but memorable debut in the film ‘Shehenshah’. Sippy said that, at the age of just nine, he got his first exposure on a film set. This marked the beginning of his lifelong journey in filmmaking, where his education took place directly on film sets, long before the advent of formal film schools.
A journey of continuous learning: Sudhi’s journey from ‘Andaaz’ to ‘Sholay’
Reflecting on his journey from iconic films like ‘Andaaz’ to ‘Sita औुर Geeta’, Sippy stressed the importance of continuous learning in the world of filmmaking. “There is no end to the learning,” he said. “We always try our best, with the entire team, from cast to crew, involved in every step of the process.” Recalling the making of ‘Sholay’, he shared an interesting anecdote about the shooting of an important scene. Despite initial difficulty with weather conditions, Sippy highlighted how he achieved the perfect mood for the scene by the end, filmed under dark skies. “It took 23 days to shoot one scene in Sholay,” he said, underscoring his commitment to achieving perfection in every frame.
Role of technology in modern cinema
Sippy also talked about how technological advancements have changed the landscape of filmmaking. He commented on the evolution of special effects and how artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance filmmaking, although he cautioned that technology should enable creativity, not replace it. Sippy said, “AI will never replace the human mind. It can only complement creativity, and it is necessary to use the mind to take appropriate decisions.”
The art of storytelling and inspiration
When asked how he brings his stories to life on the big screen, Sippy attributed the success of his films to teamwork and collaboration. He noted that, “It is the collective effort of the team that helps us reach perfection.”
accepting mistakes and continuously improving
When the session came to an end, Ramesh Sippy presented his final thoughts on the importance of growth in film production. He said, “It is healthy to make mistakes.” Every experience teaches us something valuable. We learn from our failures and improve for the future.”
The session ended on an inspirational note, with Sippy reiterating the value of learning, embracing change and constantly striving for perfection in the ever-evolving world of cinema.
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