By Nidhi Kumari

Rakesh Dasgupta has won many accolades today as a screenwriter for Shiva, he feels that it is the start of his journey and that there is a long way to go. Brimming with passion as always, Rakesh hasn’t changed a bit, his painstaking eyes are only dreaming bigger and his passion for cinema only getting stronger. Excepts from the interview:

By Nidhi Kumari

Rakesh Dasgupta has won many accolades today as a screenwriter for Shiva, he feels that it is the start of his journey and that there is a long way to go. Brimming with passion as always, Rakesh hasn’t changed a bit, his painstaking eyes are only dreaming bigger and his passion for cinema only getting stronger. Excepts from the interview:

Rakesh, today you are a man with many accolades. How does that make you feel?

Receiving accolades are always a good feeling. It shows that you are valid, your dreams are valid. But for an actor and a screenwriter, the biggest accolade is to see their film playing on the big screen, enjoyed and loved by the public. If SHIVA fails to deliver that entertainment value, all

these accolades would mean nothing to me, zero.

I remember you informed in your first interview about the hardship and challenges that followed at the start of your career. Has the road got smoother for you now?

The road never gets smoother, you just get stronger.

You are a fighter. You will fight with full fervour unless you’ve gotten what you want. Am I right?

That’s true! But I don’t see myself as a fighter. I see myself as a doer. I love what I do, I enjoy what I do and that kind of makes the journey so easy for me. But you’re right! I ain’t giving up until I have got what I want. I am obsessed. I have no choice.

 What all have you learned all this while? As far as acting is concerned, I didn’t learn anything. It’s not something you can learn anyway.

But I learnt a lot about screenwriting, especially the technical aspects. It was such a great experience writing Shiva. I learnt that I am more than what I thought.As far as what I have learned from life, I don’t think it would be appropriate to talk about it openly.

You are passionate about cinema and films. What does it need to keep that passion burning?

A clear vision of where you want to go and a burning desire to make that happen. You would need a certain level of desperation.

You’ve won awards for ‘Shiva’ as a screenwriter. When was the time you thought that it was time to pen this story?

I never planned to write Shiva; It just came out of nowhere. I was just scribbling on a piece of paper writing some random cheesy lines/dialogues and while doing so I started to see a face. In the beginning I kept disregarding it but then his face kept popping up repeatedly and I could hear his voice. Surprisingly, I noticed that the lines I scribbled in that piece of paper actually resonated with his voice. Then I just went with the flow.

Your message for some one who wants to be a part of the film industry.

Ask yourself if this is the only thing you can do and you want to do. If yes, go for it. But if you are doing it only to become famous, it ain’t happening.When you would pursue things like acting, music etc. etc. which are not counted as regular professions, you’ll have people telling you things like “You are crazy, etc. etc.” Don’t get disheartened because that’s actually a good thing. If they don’t think you are crazy, then I guess your dreams are not big enough.

Be prepared to lose some friends on your way. Your friends would be able to relate to you when you try to become an accountant or work at McDonalds or try to get a job in a bank. But when you pursue greatness, those friends would find it uncomfortable and unbearable. Give it time, it will happen. Sleep is a necessity to function properly. Don’t make it into a luxury. Remember, when you are sleeping, your passion, your dreams, your vision everything is sleeping with you. Most importantly, believe in yourself!

You are following your passion but there are many who stifle their passions and desires for whatever reason. What do you have to say to them.

You only have one life. You only have one chance. So live the life you want to live. Otherwise you will regret on your deathbed.

Anything else that you want to add, please do.

Shiva is not just a colorful story, it is a voice. I know Shiva will get life and it will happen soon and I can’t wait for the world to see it.

My life has been blessed. I am just lucky to get so many opportunities in this lifetime. Who thought a non-English speaking boy who once upon a time lived in a small dead end lane in India, would one day be on his way to make a mark in the entertainment capital of the world. I am not even halfway there. I still have a lot of work to do. But I would like to take this platform and this opportunity to thank these three people -Therese Clifford, Paloma Bilson and Rozalin Benlevi Kashani who have supported me in this journey, selflessly. Without their help, I wouldn’t be here today.

And I really cannot thank you enough Indus Age for the help and support you have provided me from Day 1. I am so grateful to all of you.