The gifted writer and director of the 2023 blockbuster movie OMG 2, Amit Rai, had an incredible journey from modest beginnings as a teacher to becoming a well-respected director. Rai had a strong interest in theatre before he went into film. This interest grew while he was a student at the Center for Performing Arts, where he read a lot of Marathi literature. His passion for playing and his in-depth knowledge of literary works inspired him to direct and participate in multiple Marathi plays. He had the priceless chance to work with the renowned Girish Karnad on one of these plays.
Amit Rai talked candidly about his experiences in the film industry, including the highs and lows he encountered, on a recent episode of the Small Towns Big Stories podcast. With nostalgia, he spoke of his early years and said that resilience was something Mumbai’s local trains had taught him. “Resilience is a skill I learned from local trains. Rai remarked, “I can fall multiple times and come out of it. My daily commutes have shaped my ability to overcome failure.”
Another main theme of the podcast was Rai’s respect for legendary movie actors. When questioned about his favourite directors, he mentioned how much he respected Bimal Roy and how hard it was for him to locate Bengali cinema CDs. Rai has stated that Satyajit Ray, whose cinematic mastery has had a long-lasting influence on his work, is an inspiration to him.
While talking about his transition from theatre to the movies, Rai thought back to his debut Marathi feature, Tingya (2008). There wasn’t a change. I was only persuaded to meet a producer by a few pals. Rai said, “I worked on the film and loved the story.” He entered the film industry with the success of Tingya.
Road to Sangam, Amit Rai’s debut Hindi feature film, marked a turning point in his professional life. In the podcast, he related a fascinating account about how, after hearing the tale, legendary actor Paresh Rawal decided to feature in the movie in just nine minutes. The film’s subsequent critical acclaim, which included the coveted Gollapudi Srinivas National Award for Best Debutant Director in 2009, increased Rai’s confidence in the industry.
“One does not write a story; the story finds you,” Rai said, imparting wise counsel to young filmmakers from rural areas. He underlined the significance of avoiding the comparison trap, remaining grounded, being organized, and working with honesty and passion.
When questioned about his keys to success, Rai emphasized the value of integrity, compassion, and humility in one’s line of work. He also gave the Malayalam cinema industry credit for constantly producing pictures that exceeded expectations.
Amit Rai shared intriguing information about his next endeavour, an escape thriller that takes place in the time of Aurangzeb. Rai stated that he wanted to explore a variety of genres rather than stick to just one and make films in a specific way.
Listen to the entire Small Towns Big Stories episode to learn more about Amit Rai’s motivational journey and insights. Learn the trade secrets of his success and his approach to creating memorable movies.
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