Director Ranjan Chandel, of Grahan-fame, says story-telling has always fascinated him

Mona

When writer-director Ranjan Chandel moved to Mumbai with no connections, but a bagful of stories, it was a huge leap of faith. But just like many others, the city of dreams accepted Ranjan, who now calls it home with his two cats, and continues to tell stories full on emotions. His latest web series, Grahan, on Disney+Hotstar, continues to impress audiences.

Heart’s call

After Mukkabaaz, I was looking for a story and came across this novel by Satya Vyas — Chaurasi. It really resonated with me. I got busy with other things, when producer Aanand Rai told me that a channel has bought the rights of a book and that I could check out. As it was to be, they mentioned Bokaro (where the story is set) and I told promptly, ‘I am directing it’. One of the lead character’s names in the book is Rishi Ranjan, which matches with mine; I feel somehow that this story chose me! We shot through the pandemic in Lucknow, as in UP one could get permission to shoot. It was as if there was this divine energy working with us and despite a 150-strong cast, we faced no Covid-related issues through the entire shoot. That this film, set in the backdrop of 1984 riots, is being watched and loved is gratifying for me.

Coming to Mumbai

My native place is a small town called Bindki in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh. I graduated from Kanpur, did my MBA from Pune and worked in Bengaluru. But somehow, I could never relate to the work I was doing. It’s the tales that have always fascinated me. If you meet anyone from my childhood, they remember me as the one who loved to listen to and tell stories. So I saved some money and took the train to Mumbai, bidding adieu too my life, to start afresh. As I got down at Dadar station, in a pretty ‘filmy’ way, a friend of mine who was supposed to pick me up didn’t show up, nor did he answer my phone. I checked my phone list and called another friend who lived in Mumbai. He said ‘Ab aa hi gaye ho to chale aao’. I spent some time at his place and started to knock door-to-door, asking if they did film-related work and if they needed a writer. It took time, but it was after meeting Anurag Kashyap four years later that I got into regular work. Before Grahan, I directed Bamfaad (2020), co-wrote Mukkabaaz (2017) and Juice (2017). I am in love with Mumbai for it gave me an identity and paved the way for me to tell my stories.

OTT versus cinemas

For directors, filmmakers like me, who don’t have big budgets and PR paraphernalia, OTT works well in two ways. As cinemas are closed due to the pandemic, OTT can reach far and wide. Another is that the length it offers gives a chance to dwell on each character, each emotion fully. In fact, Bamfaad was one of the first films to come on OTT as the country tried to make sense of the lockdown.

Favourites’ list

Films: Dil Se, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam; Krzysztof Kieslowski’s A Short Film About Love and Red.
Songs: O Jogiya and Chori Chori
City: Mumbai
Authors: Walter Isaacson, Dharamvir Bharati, Manohar Shyam Joshi
When not working: I read literature and spend time with my two cats

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