A complete package!

Jasmine Singh

He shouts into the mike—action! After carefully scrutinising the scene on the monitor, he makes a dash for the actor, holding some papers in his hand. He says something to him, gesticulating, that changes expressions on his face. ‘Ok! Let’s do it again,’ he comes back, pulling his chair marked ‘director’ towards the monitor. For a split second, you would think it’s some kind of mistake, this man, singer-actor Gippy Grewal, is seated on the wrong chair. He should actually be sitting on the actor’s chair!

Gippy smiles, “I am directing this film under my own banner Humble Motion Pictures.’ Ah! Now he has managed to add another acronym to his already long designation, singer-actor-writer-director-producer Gippy Grewal. As he shoots in Punjab for the film, Gippy shares the reason behind this creative decision, frame by frame.

So…it started

I was writing a story of a film on social issues which I thought I would pass on to a director. But, I got so involved in the story that I was finding it difficult to explain it to any other director, scene by scene. Then it came to me that since I had written the story, I wanted the film to pan out in the same way. This is when I decided, I should only be directing it!

Classes on direction

(Laughs) Mainu shuru ton hi direction da keeda hai! Earlier also, for my films and videos, I have composed and choreographed my own scenes. I have a fair idea how to handle camera and direct scenes. And yes, I have worked with good directors, whose experiences have left me enriched.

Take three

I am a singer, an actor and now also a writer and director. This film is very close to my heart since I have written the story for it. My company Humble Motion Pictures is producing it, and I am directing it. But yes, I am not acting in the film. This film is based on social issues that we are currently facing in Punjab, and I am working with fine actors. The film will release next year.

Donning too many hats

I can now understand the hurdles, the problems that a director, a script writer and a producer has to face while making a film. Since, I am handling three departments, it is a tough and tedious job. However, I am working with a great crew that has made my task easy.

This new trend

Many actors in Bollywood have not only gone on to co-write and even write scripts for the stories, they have directed it as well. While shooting as an actor, I would sometimes strongly feel about a role panning out in a certain way, I would see so many stories and issues that I would take up, and trust me directing a film is helping me applying my vision in a certain manner. I am impressed by how actor Aamir Khan treats his projects, he writes certain portions and goes on to give creative and valuable suggestions in scenes, directing them as well.

The biggest challenge

Well, I didn’t have to deal with starry tantrums. All my actors are professional and cooperative.

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