Some projects leave a lasting mark on your career, and for me, Jai Gangajal was one such turning point. While I came on board as an actor, the film guided me toward a path I had never envisioned—becoming a filmmaker.

The shift happened unexpectedly. Prakash Jha ji, making his acting debut in the film, entrusted me with an added responsibility. Since I was closely involved in his preparations—from workshops to rehearsals—I was given the task of monitoring his performance through the director’s monitor. I embraced the responsibility with all my heart and soul.

Sitting in front of that monitor, observing every frame, every nuance, and every scene where he performed, I unknowingly stepped into a new realm of filmmaking. It was a perspective I had never explored before. Perhaps it was in those moments of silent observation that the director in me was born.

A Prophecy That Came True
One moment that will always stay with me is a conversation with legendary action director Shyam Kaushal ji. While on set, he turned to cinematographer Sachin sir and said, “This boy will be directing his own film in a couple of years.” I was taken aback. Until that moment, I had never considered myself a filmmaker. But his words planted a seed.

And he was right.
During the shoot of Jai Gangajal, a new vision started taking shape in my mind. The process of observing, analysing, and understanding the technical nuances of filmmaking sparked something within me. That’s when Krispy Rishtey was born—a story that I began penning down on set.

A New Beginning
I will always remember Jai Gangajal as the project that gave me direction, purpose, and the courage to step into an entirely new challenge. It wasn’t just a film I acted in—it was the film that made me a filmmaker.