Meet Subramanya Kalal | Filmmaker

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

Hi Subramanya, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
For me, giving up is never an option. What we fail to understand is that when something isn’t working, it’s time to take a step back and look at what’s wrong, to find the answers, but not to give up on everything that you have ever worked hard for. I believe in consistency. From where I come from, it’s a tough line to determine the results, and at the same time, you never know how close you are to getting what you want.

Based on my experience working in films, you have to be clear on what you want, because that’s where the lines are blurred. When you set something “approximately,” “vaguely,” or “more or less,” and are unclear about it, or for that matter, decide to switch those goals in the middle of its pursuit, then it becomes ten times harder to achieve what you wanted in the first place.

Being grateful for what you have so far and thankful for it has worked for me to know my place and where I want to go.

All I want to say is, don’t give up. Yes, it is hard; it’s not going to be easy. But when you truly love doing something, you should never let that go.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a writer/director from India based in Los Angeles. It all started with a dream of being someone who I wasn’t at the cinemas. I always believed, as a kid, that I had something special in me, and I couldn’t let that go. However, I wasn’t sure what that was until the time I started making short travel documentaries with my DSLR. When people began to want to work with me, I realized this is something I am good at, not just because I love it, but because it is something I truly love doing.

At this point in time, I was making travel and music videos until I discovered about myself that I truly love cinema. It’s been a crazy journey so far. It’s not just about picking up the camera anymore for me; it’s about understanding humans and whatever is out there.

When Ridley Scott said it takes an immense amount of stamina to be in the film business, it’s true because this is something that you have to keep on believing in yourself every single day and love it every single second because it’s not easy. Writing is not easy; making a film is not easy. It takes a lot of sacrifices in your life and demands the same love from where you started.

If I had to pick the things that taught me along the way and helped me get where I am, first, be true to yourself with what you want. Second, never be bothered about what someone thinks of you; either way, they’re gonna think of you. Listen to yourself and go for what makes you happy. Third, show gratitude to the universe. It’s not just us; it’s the energy we put ourselves around. Sometimes all you gotta do is trust yourself, trust the universe, and go for it. I used to constantly be in a battle with my own mind every single time with every little decision, but along the way, I learned the hard way to trust in myself and to go for it because you never know what that one decision could have changed in your life.

Right now, I am truly grateful to be able to make my own short films, music videos, commercials, and work with creative geniuses. I never thought I’d be here when I first started, and I don’t know where I’d be, but one thing I know for sure is that I’ll be making films for the rest of my life, and everyone is invited.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s a tough one; there’s a lot to go around. First of all, I would not make it a generic tourist itinerary.

Well, I would start off with a good, delicious burger at Los Feliz’s “GoldBurger,” and Pasadena has my heart; there’s just something about the place. Hollywood Hills would be first on the list, followed by Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.

Being a cinema lover, the next thing would be watching a classic at The New Beverly Cinema Theatre. Next on my list would be Nicholas State Beach in Malibu and Nobu for some delicious seafood, with an amazing drive on the PCH.

Being a 90’s kid, Smokehouse in Burbank and Mel’s Drive-In are a must. Then, I’d check if there are any art exhibitions/shows or flea markets; I guess Silver Lake/Los Feliz or Melrose would top it off.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank my parents for believing in me, my mentor Raghu Dixit (singer/music director), and Vince Gilligan. Not only for making one of the best TV shows in the world but also for inspiring me to write, pick up the camera, and shoot a film. A huge shoutout to Bryan Cranston for telling me, “never give up whatsoever, and see you on the other side down the line.” That just stuck with me.

Website: www.Okaymars.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/subramanya_kalal/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://in.linkedin.com/in/subramanya-kalal-3b6bb5172

Other: Vimeo : https://vimeo.com/user164356623

Image Credits
Lokii Reis Da Silva William Nahed @imallanr Sohum Pulekar