INTERVIEWS

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Cult Critic:  The video seems to be inspired by many works hence is neatly executed. Can you discuss the sources that catered to your vision?

Aashish: The song was conceptualised as a showcase for the hidden emotions within us, those that we are afraid to feel or even emote, due to fear of social stigma and/or ostracism. I believe that this disconnect in the expression of our true feelings is one of the primary reasons for strife and fear in today's society that eventually emerge as violent outbreaks. The fear of being unable to express who we truly are, and what we stand for, our true nature! The fire is symbolic of the fear we feel and the song welcomes people to embrace their true feelings without fear of judgement and live in that moment itself. As I am primarily a score composer, who commenced my music video journey during the COVID lockdown, I began editing my songs on stock footage sourcing them from various libraries and weave a narrative through them. The video attempts to create this oneness in diversity by highlighting dance in various sections as the expression of freedom and in other sections we have used open raw sexuality coupled with LGBT lovemaking visuals.

Cult Critic:  Can you share the execution planning and production planning?

Aashish: As we haven't actually shot any footage, the only film production work involved was on the table ie sourcing of various footages and weaving them seamlessly into one narrative. This involved an extemsive process of scouring various libraries and scouting for footage that fitted the lyrics and the narrative. I follow the philosophy of reverse engineering the narrative sometimes to fit the footage we find, thereby providing a closer sync between the song and the footage.  In such a situation the focus automatically moves towards finding the most appropriate footage that creates the desired impact cinematically. Though this does have its limitations it does allow us to cost effectively produce high quality videos in the least possible time.

Cult Critic:  Did this project add new set of knowledge to your skillset? If so, will we see it to be reflected in your next project?

Aashish :I definitely fine tuned my film editing knowledge with this video and as a film director that really helps me in understanding different kinds of shots and the impact they have. This video has synergised my abilities as a songwriter, music composer, film editor and film director all in one, to bring about this final product in combination with a fabulous singer Rimi Nique, Co- Composer Tutul Bhattacharya and Co- Producer Somesh Mathur. It is special in that it marks the first song release of the Samsara Sounds collaboration.

Cult Critic:  Can your share your plans for the future, in terms of motion pictures or visuals?

Aashish : I do have a few special projects lined up in the OTT space, one being a period fantasy film and another being a sci fi horror film. On the music video front we do have a release lined up every two months, so the future is looking really bright right now.