Rensil D'Silva: How to Make it in Bollywood Education in the Gulf ...

BOLLYWOOD
Rensil D’Silva: Making Indian
Cinema Global & Contemporary
th
16
ANNI V ERSARY
The much awaited Saif-Kareena starrer, KURBAAN – a romantic thriller set
against the backdrop of global terrorism make its way to the screens worldwide
this November. Debutante director Rensil D’Silva is an ad man with 18 years
experience who has scripted films like the path breaking Rang De Basanti, Aks
and Mani Ratnam’s upcoming film Raavan. In an exclusive interview with TII he
shares his journey and the challenges of Bollywood.
by: Sarina Menezes
A
clear indication of
an Indian identity
across the globe is
Bollywood. In the
history of world
cinema, nothing even comes close
Rensil with Saif Ali Khan & Kareena Kapoor
to the meteoric rise in the number
of movies produced in Bollywood
making it a fundamental part of
the Indian Diaspora experience.
Be it American, African, Middle
Eastern or British Indians, they
have all managed to keep up with
the latest films and songs coming
from Mumbai. The Indian film
industry today is known and appreciated – right from America to
China. While expatriate Indians love them, others are not untouched
by their magic either.
Hindi films employ a surprising mix of facts woven together with
fiction and colourful songs and dances to keep the viewer captivated in
a memorable trance! While earlier this distinctive style was domestic
and sought to showcase its Indian-ness, today,
it has become very international, appealing
extensively to Indians settled abroad and
foreigners alike. The typical tearjerker
stories have given way, to a large extent, to
contemporary issues. This change is being
accepted and in some cases, even demanded,
on the domestic front. Where, merely a decade
ago, films like Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and
Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge were madly
accepted and Rajshri productions bagged
box office success every time with their
family dramas. Today multiplex audiences
are enjoying and are receptive to films
which present reality they can identify with.
This November, the much awaited Saif-
Kareena starrer, KURBAAN – a romantic
thriller set against the backdrop of global
terrorism will make its way to the screens worldwide. The man behind
the film is Rensil D’Silva making his entry as a debutante director.
And although this is his first directorial venture, Rensil is not new to
the media industry. An ad man with 18 years experience, Rensil has
also scripted films like Aks, Rang De Basanti and Mani Ratnam’s
upcoming film Raavan.
In 2006, the path breaking film Rang De Basanti scripted by Rensil
made a noticeable impact on Indian society. This was a film that evoked
a great social reaction from the youth in India and there was a great
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The International Indian
The International Indian 17