Kiran Rao Gets Real About Early Career Struggles, Champions Inclusivity at KASHISH Pride Film Festival
The KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, a beacon of LGBTQIA+ representation in cinema, recently hosted a very special guest: Kiran Rao. The acclaimed filmmaker, known for her work both behind and in front of the camera, graced the festival with her presence and shared some surprisingly candid insights about her journey in the Indian film industry. Rao, a long-time advocate for greater inclusivity in film, used the platform to highlight the struggles faced by marginalized communities and emphasized the need for more diverse voices in storytelling.
A Director’s Journey Begins with Grueling Gigs
Before the glitz and glamour of red carpets and awards ceremonies, Kiran Rao’s path to filmmaking was paved with the grit and grind of being an assistant director (AD). It’s a role that often involves long hours, thankless tasks, and a constant hustle for the next project. Rao, reflecting on this formative period, didn’t shy away from sharing the realities of those early days.
Her experience on the set of “Lagaan,” the iconic film that took the world by storm, offers a glimpse into the often-unseen side of Bollywood. While the Ashutosh Gowariker directed epic went on to garner international acclaim, Rao’s role as an AD was far from glamorous. Despite the film’s massive scale and eventual success, the pay for ADs, including Rao, remained dismally low.
From Film Sets to Advertising: The Mumbai Hustle is Real
Mumbai, the city of dreams, often demands a side hustle, and Kiran Rao was no exception. To make ends meet and fuel her passion for filmmaking, Rao turned to the world of advertising. In a candid revelation, she described herself as a “gig economy worker,” constantly juggling projects and grappling with financial uncertainty. “You never knew when the next paycheck was coming,” Rao shared, highlighting the stark contrast between the low pay of filmmaking and the relatively better pay in advertising.
This period of juggling advertising gigs with her aspirations in cinema provided a crash course in resourcefulness and resilience. It was during this time that Rao, ever the pragmatist, made a significant purchase that underscored the challenges faced by aspiring filmmakers.
Kiran Rao Gets Real About Early Career Struggles, Champions Inclusivity at KASHISH Pride Film Festival
The KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, a beacon of LGBTQIA+ representation in cinema, recently hosted a very special guest: Kiran Rao. The acclaimed filmmaker, known for her work both behind and in front of the camera, graced the festival with her presence and shared some surprisingly candid insights about her journey in the Indian film industry. Rao, a long-time advocate for greater inclusivity in film, used the platform to highlight the struggles faced by marginalized communities and emphasized the need for more diverse voices in storytelling.
A Director’s Journey Begins with Grueling Gigs
Before the glitz and glamour of red carpets and awards ceremonies, Kiran Rao’s path to filmmaking was paved with the grit and grind of being an assistant director (AD). It’s a role that often involves long hours, thankless tasks, and a constant hustle for the next project. Rao, reflecting on this formative period, didn’t shy away from sharing the realities of those early days.
Her experience on the set of “Lagaan,” the iconic film that took the world by storm, offers a glimpse into the often-unseen side of Bollywood. While the Ashutosh Gowariker directed epic went on to garner international acclaim, Rao’s role as an AD was far from glamorous. Despite the film’s massive scale and eventual success, the pay for ADs, including Rao, remained dismally low.
From Film Sets to Advertising: The Mumbai Hustle is Real
Mumbai, the city of dreams, often demands a side hustle, and Kiran Rao was no exception. To make ends meet and fuel her passion for filmmaking, Rao turned to the world of advertising. In a candid revelation, she described herself as a “gig economy worker,” constantly juggling projects and grappling with financial uncertainty. “You never knew when the next paycheck was coming,” Rao shared, highlighting the stark contrast between the low pay of filmmaking and the relatively better pay in advertising.
This period of juggling advertising gigs with her aspirations in cinema provided a crash course in resourcefulness and resilience. It was during this time that Rao, ever the pragmatist, made a significant purchase that underscored the challenges faced by aspiring filmmakers.
A Father’s Gift: More Than Just a Car
Rao’s first car wasn’t a flashy symbol of success, but a testament to her family’s support and her own commitment to her craft. She purchased the car, a used Maruti Zen, from her father for a discounted price of Rs lakh. But it wasn’t just a financial transaction; it was a gesture laden with meaning. Rao’s father, recognizing his daughter’s drive and the financial constraints of pursuing a career in film, saw the car as an opportunity to teach her about saving and financial responsibility.
The journey from Bangalore to Mumbai in that little Zen, with her father by her side, became a metaphor for Rao’s own journey in the film industry: a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and unwavering support from loved ones.
Trial by “Lagaan”: A Baptism of Fire on Set
While the Maruti Zen provided a much-needed dose of freedom and mobility in Mumbai, the “Lagaan” set became Rao’s training ground, testing her limits and shaping her into the filmmaker she is today. The sheer scale of the production, with its massive crew, period costumes, and ambitious outdoor shoots, presented a unique set of challenges. Rao, in her characteristically candid way, described the experience as “being yelled at constantly” and facing immense pressure from senior ADs like Reema Kagti.
But amidst the chaos and the occasional dressing down, Rao was absorbing invaluable lessons about filmmaking – from managing logistics and handling large crews to understanding the nuances of storytelling on an epic scale. “Lagaan” may have been a trial by fire, but it forged in Rao a resilience and a deep-seated respect for the collaborative spirit of filmmaking.
From Personal Struggles to Championing Inclusivity
Kiran Rao’s own journey, marked by financial uncertainty and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, has deeply informed her advocacy for greater representation in film. Speaking passionately at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival, she drew a parallel between her own struggles and those faced by marginalized communities trying to break into the industry.
“If it was this hard for me, someone with a certain level of privilege, imagine the hurdles faced by those who are constantly otherized and denied opportunities,” Rao remarked, her voice resonating with empathy and conviction. She called for a radical shift in perspective, urging filmmakers to move beyond token representation and embrace authentic storytelling that reflects the true diversity of lived experiences.