Meet Abhishek Tata | Writer – Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abhishek Tata and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abhishek, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Most people think filmmaking means a lot of money, freedom to work whenever you want to work and most importantly they feel filmmakers are not tied to anything. They maybe right to some extent but more than anything filmmaking is not about any of the above mentioned things. It is a conscious effort to first conceive then create and lastly to present the mirror image of the very society we live and breathe in. Films are primarily a mode of entertainment and escape and hence a filmmaker needs to present his films that cater to all of the needs of his viewers who directly or indirectly pay for his meals. In no way, shape or form it is easy to become the literal god, that is the main reason why we respect god so much. A filmmaker on the other hand is consciously working towards becoming the god as he is creating a whole world which you can visit, experience and then leave with imprints of that world in your mind. What many don’t understand is that this want to the god does come with its own costs and struggles. Hundreds of sleepless nights spent in front of that blank white screen with the cursor blinking, even staring at you questioning your very credibility is one of those countless costs that this art demands from you. The thing that I said earlier about money and freedom a filmmaker gets is conditional in nature. You get those things only and only if you meet certain conditions and the very first one of those conditions is your willingness to sacrifice and struggle for the most part of your career so that someday if everything works out in your favour, you might get that money, fame and freedom. Unlike other careers, here honestly is not much scope for a mistake in this field as millions of dollars are at stake for you to take the right decision and make the right movie for the audience which they will like and appreciate. In this world which is evolving with super speed everyday, you need to evolve and keep up at the same rate. This industry humbles you down just as fast as it rises you up. If you cannot keep up, the matrix will replace you and find it’s next “the one.” People who are willing to give in everything and work towards excellence without any break in their initial years and who are okay surviving with little to no money in the beginning, who have that sort of arrogance for not giving up are the only people who get success and fame in the later phase of life which is also not permanent. This art form first takes a lot from you, it takes you to the edge of madness and then and only then it gives you something back. It is not easy and not for the faint hearted.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Honestly, I believe a filmmaker should be ordinary, in fact more ordinary than others. That is the only way one is able to see the world from a different perspective. I feel the filmmaking is a very difficult process to master as you are trying to show a mirror to the world but world is not really interested in seeing just the plain reality, they love it when it is exaggerated and presented in a larger than life format. I just try to present this world to them and as I am evolving with each day I am trying to perfect my skills to be an even better showman. That is all my journey is about. Was it easy to get here? not at all. Was it worth it? Hundred percent! I strongly believe that this is just the beginning of my filmmaking phase and there are a lot years and stories still in me and they are all equally interesting to me and I cannot wait to bring them from mind to paper to screen as soon as possible. I just want the world to know that my filmmaking is based on how I see this world around me and I feel like this art form gives me a voice. A voice in the crowd of billions of people. When you think about it, it becomes a huge responsibility for me to use this voice in the right manner and I promise to do justice with it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am really the wrong person to ask this question to as I usually visit very unconventional places in the city. I am one of those whole who would sit down with a homeless person and talk about their life and what makes sense according to them. You would be surprised by their answers if you actually take your time to listen to them. I am also a big fan of vintage cars so for sure we are going to BOB’s parking lot in Burbank on Friday as they have a showing of vintage cars there every Friday. Then I would take them hiking to the humming bird trail. Trust me it is one of the most satisfying treks once you get to see the view from top. I guess the next stop would be the Santa Monica beach after sunset, it’s just fun being there. The incredible drive spots in this city is just something perfect for me and I love driving along the mountains so that is a must. We will eventually visit the universal lot and the harry potter museum as well and finally I would invite them to my place for a home cooked meal. Trust me I am a good cook.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We are all so powerless so much so that even our names are not our own. They are given to us by our parents. My father and my mother, where would I be if not for them and their struggle and support. From the very beginning, it is them that have steered my path, took hardships for themselves so that me and my brother could enjoy the results of their hardships. It is not easy to dedicate your whole life so that you can provide for someone else but somehow each and every parent does that. My parents sacrificed their future so that mine could be built. They gave up a lot of their comfort for mine. So, I don’t think there is anyone more fitting than my parents and a special mention to my little brother who has been the biggest support system for me in this whole journey. They deserve all the recognition in the world because these people are the reason why I am whatever I am today.

Instagram: @filmmaker_abhishek

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhishek-tata-2058a3131/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/O1uNNvmryXs

Other: I enjoy lighting for films as well so here are some of my gaffing work links as well – https://www.behance.net/gallery/149347707/2021-Present