Bhubaneswar: Odia filmmaker Ashish Panda has co-directed movies like Sanam Re and Yaariyan. His chartbuster music videos include Toh Aagaye Hum, Kabhi Yaadon Mein Aao, Humnava Mere, Meri Ashiqui’ and many more. Most of his videos have been released by T-Series. Ashish Panda has also played an important role in the production of soap operas like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kusum. He has done a short film called Bulbul. Ashish has also shot a documentary on Odisha’s Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Konark which is about to release soon.
Orissa POST caught up with Ashish recently.
Q: From being a part of soap operas to the big screen, how was the journey?
A: Journey is always tough for everyone. Success doesn’t come easy. Going from Odisha to Bombay is a tough journey also. It is the same for everyone who wants to achieve their goals in life. It is always a difficult path. You have to put in a lot of hard work to fulfil your ambitions and reach somewhere in life.
Q: How tough it was to achieving your goals, without having any background from the film and television industry?
A: I can’t say I have already reached somewhere; I am in the process to achieve my goals. It is always difficult being an Odia in a non-Odia place. We by nature are very shy. So even though we are hard-working, at times it takes a lot of time to be successful and fulfil your dreams.
Q: You have shot with singers like Jubin Nauteyal and Guru Randhawa. Any interesting stories that you remember during shooting?
A: They are very nice and very down to earth persons. So it was very easy for me to shoot with them.
Q: Why do you call Jubin as ‘Baba’?
A: It’s a secret which I can’t reveal as to why Jubin is called ‘Baba’. He is a party-going and a very loving guy.
Q: How difficult it is to make a singer act?
A: Acting basically comes from within and you can portray those with action. Singers can act also, they have feel the song they are singing and act accordingly. They have to channelise their thoughts and that’s how Jubin started acting.
Q: How do you feel being a part of T-Series?
A: I am blessed that I got in there in my life. T-Series has played a very important role in shaping my career.
Q: Recently you went to Kashmir for an album shoot. Could you please share some fun moments from the set?
A: I can’t reveal more about Kashmir because the video is yet to come. But yes the trip was definitely memorable for each one of us. Like, it was heavily snowing and it was around minus 13 degree Celsius. On one such day we had to move from one place to another. However, our vehicle got stuck in the snow. There were approximately 10-12 feet of snow and we were stranded for close to five hours. We had to clean the portions of the road ourselves to reach our destination. It was definitely hard work, but certainly memorable.
Q: You recently shot a documentary in Odisha, what is it all about?
A: It’s about food scarcity. More about how we waste food. It’s more about a child and I am planning to release it in all the platforms. This is because people need to understand the importance of food in our lives.
