I am an actor-turned-writer-turned-director and now planning to be a producer: Director Imtiaz Punjabi

Director Imtiaz Punjabi is the one who visualizes and takes the shots with effortless ease. In fact, he is the one who sets Maryada for viewers on Star Plus and teaches parents about Parvarrish on Sony Entertainment Television. In short, he is the one who decides the taking of every shot based on a particular scene. Tellychakkar.com corners Imtiaz and chats up with him for a free-wheeling interview for the Behind the Lens segment. Read on… Excerpts: Tell us something about yourself? (pauses) To start with, I was first a writer having written a few episodes of Daastan and Chattan. Having started my career in direction with Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin for Sony Entertainment Television, I have directed numerous shows like Maryada for Star Plus, Baat Hamari Pakki Hai for Sony Entertainment Television, amongst others. Currently, I am directing Parvarrish for Sony Entertainment Television. In all, I must have directed around 1500 episodes. For a change, I have also directed a film titled Fun2shh. How has your journey been so far? (chuckles) My career has had a three-fold climb. Or else how would you describe my climb from a theatre actor to a writer and now a director. And soon I am planning to turn a producer. My journey in life has not been without blemishes but I don’t regret any bit of it. For me, direction has no barrier and that is the reason why I am able to give my 100 per cent to my work. As a director, what do you expect from your shows? The first and foremost thing that is important on television is entertainment while the second is to deliver the message the writer of a particular show wants to convey in a sweet and effective manner to the audience at large. You see, one needs to understand very well that the people sitting at home have no patience to bear any show that doesn’t entertain them. That is why you need to first try and understand their needs in order to keep the viewers intact. What is your working pattern? Firstly, I look into the casting of the show and then try and make out whether the people doing the project are capable enough by looking into their performance pattern. And finally I zero in on the main hero of any show, the writer and his story, because that is the only thing which helps me plan my work. What is the most important aspect of any show? Anytime, it’s the story. Without the story there is no director, actor or producer. A director’s job is to convey the message which the writer wants to convey. A story is considered to be the mother of any show and we are just her conceivers. A director is considered to be good only if he puts in his own effort to bring out the creativity of the show. How is direction different for the silver screen and the small screen? Basically, the real difference is all about the canvass. In films, you get a bigger canvass while on television, you get a smaller one. What is same are the emotions and drama; only the frame is different. As far as television goes there is a constraint of time but in films, you get ample amount of time. Even creativity is confined in television than in films. How does the direction for comedy shows differ from that for dramas? (gives a thought) A comedy show is all about timings; we try and do it in one shot in order to keep the essence alive whereas for drama, you need to cut certain portions if you don’t like and if there is normal drama and emotions involved, it needs to be properly executed. You can dramatize any situation, but comedy is something which should come out without any manipulation. It is only then when the flavour of the show remains intact. What is your forte in the field of direction? Well, I like directing everything from drama to comedy to romance, action, thriller and historical among others. As a director, I have a lot of hunger in me and that is what helps me to succeed. I explore myself to different avenues and give my 100 per cent to any project that is assigned to me. If I am happy in working for something, I would be loyal towards it till I finish. As a director, do you have any kind of difficulty bonding with actors? As a director, I am very comfortable with my actors. First and foremost, I try and understand them and then discuss the whole shooting sequence with them. I try and get the best out of them by talking to them sweetly rather than imposing my importance on them. It’s my privilege that all actors that I have been involved with till now love me as their director. What are your future plans? (smiles) Well, I want to get into production because I have tried all the avenues of filmmaking like acting, writing, directing. Now it’s turn for producing. Hopefully, I will be able to explore this quality of mine too. Any advice you would you like to give to newcomers? As a director, one needs to feel the emotion. One should also be well-versed with the technique of how to play with camera.