“As a child, I wanted to be a scientist, a magician, a poet, an architect, a painter, a sculptor, an actor, a philosopher, a photographer, a playwright, or an animator. So, by the time I was 13 or 14, I knew one thing very well, that if I made films, I could become all of them…” These are the lines of Indian director Anandh Gandhi when he talks about his childhood beliefs.
Anandh Gandhi started writing and directing plays at the age of 12. At the age of 19, he wrote a total of 100 episodes of two television shows (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki) that went on to become the most popular shows in the history of Indian television. His play “Suganthi” was awarded the prestigious National Award. After dropping out of college and completing his diploma in philosophy, he travelled all over India, meeting common people, studying their lives and writing about his experiences. He attended a series of workshops in diverse fields ranging from Gandhian economics to quantum physics.
In 2003, he borrowed money from his trusted friends and directed his first feature film, ‘Right Here, Right Now’. The film gave a highly creative experience to film lovers and was celebrated by critics as well. He won several international awards for his first film. His iconic film ‘Ship of Theseus’ was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012. It was honoured with the award of “Hidden Gem” and was also celebrated as the Best Picture.
Global film critic Derek Malcolm put ‘Ship of Theseus’ on the list of “Movies That Changed Our Life” with the line “For making us feel ashamed and showing us the rare aspects of Indian life.” Released in India in 2013, the film was hailed as a new leap in Indian cinema. The film also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film of the year.
Anandh Gandhi, who is today known as India’s most prominent creative genius as a film director, screenwriter, producer and cinematographer, is also a visiting lecturer at a Mass Media College in Mumbai. His speech at INK Talk was very symbolic and full of meaning. He also conducts creative workshops for students across India.
Anandh Gandhi, who is one of the important directors in the Indian Film Industry, took part in the Cuckoo Conversations on 29.04.2020. The inner instincts of man… His spiritual troubles… The wisdom of grief… The meaning of tears… This conversation with Anandh Gandhi, who gives us a cosmic consciousness by expressing the subjective symbols of humanity on the screen through his works, will surely serve as a vision for us.
Why is it so amazing to not have any limits or doubts? – Ship of Theseus.