Sep 05, 2017
From working behind-the-scenes on
various movies under Aamir Khan Productions to managing Aamir Khan's
calendar and now to directing the superstar, Advait Chandan has come a
long way. He considers the banner his "film school" and says being a
manager to the actor-producer was like a lottery ticket for him.
Geared up to release his debut directorial "Secret Superstar", which
features Aamir in a "never-seen-before" avatar, Chandan spoke to IANS
on the occasion of Teachers Day on Tuesday, highlighting how working
closely with Mr Perfectionist and his wife and filmmaker Kiran Rao has
been a learning curve for him.
"For me, the turning point of my life was when I came into Aamir Khan
Productions (AKP) to work on 'Taare Zameen Par' as a production
assistant in 2007. Then I worked on 'Dhobi Ghat' and then managed Aamir
sir's work. So, the banner has been like a film school for me," Chandan
told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
He had started working in showbiz with Prahlad Kakkar and Farhan Akhtar
after his schooling days.
"I really wanted to go to film school. I didn't get through FTII (Film
and Television Institute of India) and couldn't afford to go to a film
school abroad. So I kept working and learnt on the job," Chandan said.
"The last 10 to 11 years at AKP have been a graduate and a
post-graduate degree for me... It has been my education," added
Chandan, who says he has tried to imbibe Aamir's sincere work ethics in
life.
"Dhobi Ghat" gave Chandan a chance to do as many different jobs as he
could behind the scenes, but he didn't know what to do next once the
project ended.
"That's when Aamir sir was looking for a manager. When he suggested it
(asked me if I wanted to manage his work), I was like 'Ye toh lottery
lag gayi (It was like winning a lottery'."
"The thing is when you're working with him, and you're managing his
work and diary, you're getting to spend time with one of the most
powerful producers and actors in the country," Chandan said.
His main job as Aamir's manager was to be a "jeeta-jaagta calendar
(live calendar)". But he says there were perks too.
"I could rehearse with him, give him cues, I love photography so I
would get my camera and shoot him sometimes, I would be in marketing
meetings where I could give suggestions. So, I got a lot of chances as
it was all still within the industry and within the gambit of films,"
Chandan said.
"It was a great vantage point, and an entry into how a producer of his
level functions... Managing him was like a full lottery ticket,"
Chandan said, expressing gratitude to Aamir and Kiran for letting him
learn and grow despite having no film connection.
Son of a software consultant and a teacher, Chandan is now looking
forward to see his hard work come alive with "Secret Superstar",
releasing on October 19.
Featuring "Dangal" girl Zaira Wasim, it is the story of a girl who
dreams on and works towards making her dream of becoming a singer come
true.