Filmmaker Prakash Jha is her mentor and guide in the industry. After assisting Jha in films like 'Rajneeti', 'Khoya Khoya Chand', 'Apaharan' and 'Gangaajal', Alankrita Shrivastava makes her directorial debut with 'Turning 30', starring Gul Panang, Purab Kohli, Sid Makkar, Tillotama Shome and Jeneva Talwar.
'Turning 30' is a story of Naina, played by Panag, who is trying to decipher her life at 30.
“The film does not highlight the good or the bad side of being 30. It’s about an experience of someone who is reaching there,” says Shrivastava.
Excerpts from the interview with this 30-year-old director, who calls 'Turning 30' her own story.
Is turning 30 good or bad?
Both. My film is about a 29-year-old girl who is going to be 30 soon. The film is about an experience of someone reaching there. You can call it my own story as I turned 30 immediately after shooting this film. I could relate to everything the protagonist of the film goes through.
When and why did you think of making this film?
See, I feel in Hindi films, a woman is either a bimbette or a bhabhi. There is no real portrayal of an urban, independent working women, like us. I wanted to show the real picture. So this film. I thought of making it twothree years ago when I must have been 27-28 and had my own share of doubts and fears about turning 30.
You assisted Jha, who is known for making political thrillers. Why did you choose an entirely different subject for your debut?
I loved assisting him in all his films but it’s not something I can relate to. I think one should understand the pulse of the story to get things right. His is a different kind of cinema, which is not known to me. I don’t think I can make what he does at least not now. Maybe I’d do that once I could understand his characters and the world they live in.
Do you think it’s difficult for a woman director to survive in Bollywood?
Actually, it depends on so many factors. Being a woman director is still alright if you are making a big film. Like, I don’t think anyone will question Farah Khan since she makes big films with famous actors. But things do get a bit difficult for people like us who are into small-budget films.
Thanks to Prakash Jha, I’ve learnt to believe in myself and never give up under any circumstance.
Can you list five good and bad things about being 30?
I’ll start with the good points. Being 30 means you are able to say NO to people and things you don’t like; you are more confident about everything; you can easily switch from being a woman to girl; you are more focused and lastly,you start enjoying your drinks. Of course, there are problems like people calling you AUNTY; your relatives wanting you to get married at any cost; your low metabolism; taking yourself too seriously and other skin-related and health problems.