‘The Oracle’ spoke to Kanika Dhillon, the screenwriter for the upcoming multi-crore budget sci-fi movie ‘RA.One’. After graduating from St.Stephen’s College, Delhi University, she did her M.Sc in Media and Communication from the London School of Economics.
She is also the Content Head at Red Chillies Entertainment and just finished writing her first novel ‘Bombay Duck is a Fish’, which is slated to hit the stores soon. Born and raised in Amritsar, here she tells us more about her journey to Bollywood and her future plans…
Q.1. A recent tweet had you reminiscing about your days as a student at Delhi University. What do you miss the most about it?
Since I was staying in Stephens College residence; and good food was the most precious commodity; I miss the food sources we discovered during the course of my stay. Kamala Nagar frankies ; Maggie from the SRCC canteen; Gulab Jamuns outside the girls hostel in Stephens, to name a few. However, I miss the bhelpuri -wala the most-because whenever I had to worry about my future and think about those 'big' decisions during my 'college' days; I would take a long walk till the bhelpuri stall, crossing the huge football ground. I would take the bhelpuri; sit in the garden and start day -dreaming. It was during these 'bhel' sessions that the dreams were re- enforced and everything seemed possible; like writing films and being a part of this cinematic journey and even working with SRK himself.
Q.2. You did your Masters in Media and Communications from LSE. Please tell us about that experience and what it meant to you? Did you always want to pursue a career in media and communications?
The experience was fantastic. While I was there I knew along with an education I was getting an environment which encouraged me to think beyond the obvious; create opportunities and possibilities where there were none." The multi- cultural ambiance; the imminent personalities and leaders who were invited at a regular bases to have interactive sessions; only motivated and inspired each one of us to think out of the box and learn from their wisdom and experience.
Q.3. Your dream of becoming a screenwriter came through in a big way- for Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming sci-fi film ‘RA.One’ and you’re also the content head for Red Chillies Entertainment. Please share with us how the break came about?
I had already compiled a collection of short stories while I was finishing my Masters in London. I came to Mumbai to finish my dissertation; I shared my stories with a few people and managed to meet the CEO of Red Chillies Entertainments, who offered me a job in the company initially as an intern. My parents were obviously horrified and hoped after my post graduation from LSE I would take the sensible decision of staying in London and working for an MNC. Of course I did nothing of the sort; submitted my thesis; packed my bags and started my job in Red Chillies as an intern. From there on the journey started. I finished 'Om Shanti Om.’, the whole process made me learn a lot from Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan. They are my mentors. From Om Shanti Om, I moved on to Billu Barber and now I am writing for RA.One.
Q.3 Making it into Bollywood, and doing what you love is really like a dream for many… How does it feel to be where you are today?
I am sure if I sit back and look at the ground I seem to have covered; I would feel nice. But I am looking at the long road ahead of me; as an outsider in the industry the path is always more difficult, because unlike the industry kids, we have only one shot at this dream. So yes, there is a lot of anxiety and excitement because I am aware that there is a lot more to accomplish.
Q.4. Ok I have to ask- what was it like working with King Khan?
Working with Shah Rukh Khan is a dream come true. He is the most generous; most encouraging and the most 'charming' boss in the world (literally). He believes in nurturing new and young talent. He is an inspiration and keeping up with his energy and speed of thought and ideas keeps me on my toes and is one of the best parts of my job! But the most touching thing about SRK is definitely his humility.
Q.5. You have just finished writing your debut novel- ‘Bombay Duck Is a Fish’. Tell us a bit about it. When will the book hit the stores?
‘Bombay Duck is a Fish’ is a satire on the film industry and the city Mumbai. It's a story of a small town girl who comes to Mumbai to be a film maker and embarks on a roller coaster ride of emotions; from coping with betrayal to flirting with dangerous ambition. This story is not about making an identity here in Bollywood; it’s about discovering who you really are,
Q.6. So what got you interested in the search for an identity of a small-town-girl in Bollywood? Did you draw from your own experiences while writing the book?
The perspective of a small town girl was interesting because unlike the insiders and star kids she was really not prepared for the industry and everything was a hilarious discovery. The film industry and the city Mumbai has its own language and if you don't get that language or learn the rules of the game fast- taking the train back home is your only option. So the shock and wonder of my protagonist to the unexpected ways of this industry inspired me to take the POV of a small town girl. Yes I did draw from my experiences and the people I met and associated with in Bollywood. But having said that - this is not my story and the plot is fictionalized. However the characters are inspired from real life.
Q.7. The book is centred around the city of Mumbai and the Indian film industry. As a debut novel, do you feel the specific setting of the story might affect your readership outside of Mumbai?
Not really. A good story is a good story. As a reader, either the story gets you or you don't get the story. Having said that, I feel the Indian Film industry still attracts a lot of attention and people would like to know more about it. My novel is a candid look at the non glamorous underbelly of the industry. Most of my characters are on the fringe of fame and deal with the superstars; screen gods and goddesses at a regular basis. They see a different and unseen side of these stars and sometimes as a reader you would never want to trade places with these characters they represent! There are compelling stories of human strife, jealousy, ambition and betrayal in this setting and I hope the backdrop would attract more readers for my debut novel.
Q.8. You dawn multiple creative hats- what would you say you love doing the most? Would you prefer being known better for your upcoming book or the movie?
I would like to be known as a writer who has a good story to tell. Be it in the medium of a feature film or be it as a novel. I would definitely be writing fiction and movies simultaneously because I love both the mediums and I have many stories to tell, so I am just getting started!! (wink)
Q.9. Tell us a bit about your future career plans. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Maybe explore other forms of creativity?
I am writing my next film- script. It is a romantic comedy and in the next five years I will definitely be directing my films. I have already started work on my next fiction- my next novel will be based on a real life story of a very brave and courageous young girl from Karachi. The story will be about her journey that started in Pakistan and eventually led her to her victory and freedom from the shackles of fundamentalism.
Q.10. All the aspiring screenwriters, film makers, authors (among others) must be reading very closely. What advice would you give those who want to make it big in these fields?
All those who want to make it big in this field need just one thing- Belief. They need to believe in their dream because when I started telling people that I wanted to be in films, they all turned around and told me – “Are you crazy?! Forget it!?” Well and now the same people tell me, they always knew I would be doing this. So never let anyone else tell you what you can and you cannot do, because deep down you already know the answer to that question.
And all you aspiring writers/ filmmakers/ authors; if you have any queries you can get in touch with me on Twitter or the Bombay Duck Is a Fish Facebook page. Good luck with your future endeavours and hope you enjoy reading- Bombay Duck.
Interviewed by Tarini Peshawaria for Gargi College Newspaper, Oracle.
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