At times I get inspired by my own experiences, and at times ideas hit at the weirdest of times, like having a shower or while you're in the toilet.
I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Media in 2010. In college, I'd be the go to guy to write the comedies that we would perform on stage at inter-collegiate festivals, and the love for writing screenplay began there! In my second and third years, I was already writing my first TV show for Channel V. This was also when open-mics first started popping up in Mumbai, and a lot of people in my circle were trying their hand out at stand-up comedy, so I thought, "why not?". I met Vir Das at one of these open-mics and he offered me the role of junior writer on a show he was working on for Star World. We did that show, and I've been working with him since.
2. When did you decide you wanted to focus on long form screen-play writing?
That was always the goal. Since my early days, I always wanted to write a TV series and a film. In the last 2 years, my company Weirdass Comedy produced a non-fiction series for Amazon (Jestination Unknown) and co-produced a fiction series for Netflix (Hasmukh). Post that, I'm now in pre-production for my next series, and developing a couple more.
3. Who is your favourite writer and why?
Aaron Sorkin! His writing is textbook, and the way he sprinkles his dramas with comedy is pleasing to watch. Also, I love the characters he creates.
4. Where does your inspiration lie?
I don't know the answer to that myself! At times I get inspired by my own experiences, and at times ideas hit at the weirdest of times, like having a shower or while you're in the toilet.
5. What does your typical day look like?
Currently it's hectic, because as I mentioned, we're in pre-production for my next series. So the day is usually waking up, having a coffee and breakfast, catching up with the production team on tasks for the day, catching up with my writers room, keep making edits to the episodes, look into casting, and before you know it, it's 12 am.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring long form screenplay writers?
Stay honest with yourself. Do it because you love it, not because you think it's a gateway to fame. Find a mentor who can show you the ropes. Shadow that person and learn on the job. Build up your confidence to take up bigger responsibilities. And in the middle of all this, keep writing what your gut tells you to.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. It's the funniest book I've read.
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