Director Vikram Bhatt Shares ‘These’ Five Key Lessons…
Veteran filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, who has directed more than 70 films and web series over his career, recently reflected on the evolution of his craft and shared the lessons time and experience have taught him.
“When I directed my first film, I thought the script was everything,” Bhatt recalled. “Now, I know that a good script is just the beginning. The real journey begins when paper meets reality.”
Drawing from decades in the industry, Bhatt outlined five insights that continue to shape his approach to cinema:
1. Adaptation is collaboration, not compromise.
“A scene on paper is never the same on set. You might imagine sunshine, and the day brings rain. You imagine silence, but an actor’s breath changes the rhythm. The process is about collaborating with life, not resisting it.”
2. Characters only breathe when actors stop acting.
According to Bhatt, authenticity in performance surpasses any perfect line on a page. “The best direction I’ve ever given is: Say it like you believe it.”
3. The camera tells its own story.
Beyond recording, Bhatt emphasized the emotional power of the lens. “A small tilt, a slow push-in, or a frame held too long can reveal what dialogue never will.”
4. Fear and love are strongest in what remains unseen.
Reflecting on his experience with horror, Bhatt noted, “The audience’s imagination is the most powerful VFX tool in the world.”
5. The story is reborn in the edit.
“The film you shoot is not the film you edit,” he explained. “Sometimes, the cut is better. Other times, it reminds you of what not to repeat next time.”
Bhatt acknowledged both successes and failures in his long career but stressed that no two projects have ever been the same. “Each film teaches you something new. If you’re a writer or director write bravely, shoot honestly, edit ruthlessly, and never stop learning.”
