By Arindam Ganguly, OP
With a decade of experience and more than 40 music videos to his credit, Ashish Panda has developed a distinctive visual style. His work includes popular numbers such as Humnava Mere, Meri Aashiqui, Dil Tod Ke and Dil Galti Kar Baitha Hai. Trained under filmmaker Kundan Shah, Panda also worked as an associate director with Divya Khosla Kumar on Yaariyan and Sanam Re. His association with T-Series further shaped his visual sensibilities. He subsequently directed musical short films, including Bulbul and Love Garage. Now, Panda has made his feature-film directorial debut with You are minea romantic drama starring Gurmeet Choudhary and Isha Malviya. Blending music, romance and complex emotions, the film was released October 23. Sunday POST had a quick chat with the debutant director. Excerpts:
Sunday POST: After years of directing music videos and short films, how does making your feature-film debut feel?
Ashish Panda: It is a deeply fulfilling experience. After eleven years of hard work and experimenting with different storytelling formats, I am finally directing my first feature film. Every experience has contributed to my growth, but You are mine is particularly special and marks a cherished new chapter in my career.
SP: How did the idea for Tum Mere Ho come about?
AP: Gurmeet Choudhary and I are close friends and have worked together on music videos. We came across a script by Niranjan Iyengar that we connected with and planned the film together. Given my experience, I wanted music to play an integral role in the narrative, making it a musical romantic drama. We completed the shoot in just 33 days. What makes the film special is its emotional core.
SP: How did you adapt your approach from music videos to a full-length feature film?
AP: My foundation began with Kundan Shah, while my association with Divya Khosla Kumar gave me valuable experience. Music videos can sometimes be more challenging because of their limited duration and the need to synchronise visuals with beats. Feature films offer greater scope to develop characters, explore emotions and build narratives.
SP: How did you envision the pairing of Gurmeet Choudhary and Isha Malviya?
AP: Gurmeet and Isha were working together on a show, and we observed their interaction and chemistry. Casting is vital in a romantic drama because the audience needs to believe in the connection between the lead characters. We felt they had the potential to bring something fresh to the screen.
SP: As a filmmaker from Read, would you like to explore stories rooted in the state?
AP: The Odia film industry is doing really well, and I would love to make an Odia film if I come across a good script. For me, the story is always the most important factor. My next project starts in January and explores a completely new kind of narrative.