Ra.One is virtual reality video game; Agneepath is more rugged” – Sabu Cyril

“If everyone gets an award, than the significance of an award is tarnished” An award is the recognition that you deserve for your work. I have been felicitated with four awards so far. When I received my first Filmfare award for Gardish, Read More">it meant everything to me. Now every television channel is churning out someRead More

"If everyone gets an award, than the significance of an award is tarnished"
An award is the recognition that you deserve for your work. I have been felicitated with four awards so far. When I received my first Filmfare award for Gardish, it meant everything to me. Now every television channel is churning out some kind of awards which has made it completely diluted, this means everyone gets an award. It would not only be you who has worked hard in the film but everyone else as well. If everyone gets an award, than the significance of an award is tarnished. Although the national awards had a similar problem about three years back, it has been corrected now. It would be really sad if the national awards turn out to be the same.

"It is clearly the difference in the sizes of the cinemas"
I think the only difference between Bollywood and southern Indian cinema is the language, which at times is a barrier. In the south, the budgets allotted to make film are smaller as compared to budgets allotted for Bollywood films. Along with the sets, the songs are more lavish. It is clearly the difference in the sizes of the cinemas.

“We had to spend a considerable amount to get our stuff done for Ra.One” Back in the day we had limited options to choose from with only the Ambassador and the Fiat available, Read More">but today we see a different trend where we are spoilt for choice when it comes to buying a car. We haveRead More

"We had to spend a considerable amount to get our stuff done for Ra.One"
Back in the day we had limited options to choose from with only the Ambassador and the Fiat available, but today we see a different trend where we are spoilt for choice when it comes to buying a car. We have a similar fate with making movies now-a-days, every films finances has to be put into good use and no one likes to waste money. The brief could not be explained in a sentence but we had to spend a considerable amount to get our stuff done for Ra.One… it is a world by itself and you have to make it believable and bring it to life at the same time.

"I am just helping him and making sure that Agneepath happens the way he has visualized it"
Compared to the first version, Agneepath has been conceived slightly differently, the look of the film is more rugged. Karan Malhotra, director of the film, had come over to my place to talk about the project. I am just helping him and making sure that Agneepath happens the way he has visualized it. With the director wanting a harsh terrain, I suggested that we shoot the film in Diu. It is somewhat a similar view where the whole unit was working on the film for forty-five days.

“If the film does not succeed, then you would not make a name for yourself” I think that Robot was the most memorable film that I have worked on. It was very futuristic and it required us to introspect on how it would look after so many years keeping the subject in mind, Read More">and howRead More

"If the film does not succeed, then you would not make a name for yourself"
I think that Robot was the most memorable film that I have worked on. It was very futuristic and it required us to introspect on how it would look after so many years keeping the subject in mind, and how it should be carried out. While working on a period film like Kaala-Pani, we could take reference of a film from the British-era and recreate it by putting some efforts according to the references we have. The more you know the better it turns out. Although Hey Ram was a period film it was very difficult to recreate the look. A lot of detailing was focused on that film with me recreating the art in sync to that era. If the film does not succeed, then you would not make a name for yourself, it is as simple as that.

"The backdrop in the film is totally different even though it is happening in Mumbai and London"
Ra.One has been conceived entirely by Shah Rukh, it is supposed to be a virtual reality video game. The backdrop in the film is totally different even though it is happening in Mumbai and London. Considering that this is a completely different project, the sets of the film had to be credible. Whatever is there in mind we are trying our best to make Shah Rukh's dreams come true.

“I think it becomes like childbirth, it is a pain to go through” A typical day in the life of an art director is quite hectic, time wise it is difficult to make detailed sets. We could have done a better job if we could be provided more time, Read More">its almost like writing an examRead More

"I think it becomes like childbirth, it is a pain to go through"
A typical day in the life of an art director is quite hectic, time wise it is difficult to make detailed sets. We could have done a better job if we could be provided more time, its almost like writing an exam you could do better if you were given more time. I think it becomes like childbirth, it is a pain to go through. But when our mission is accomplished and people appreciate the work that has been put in, then you completely forget about the pain that you endure.

"Kamal Hassan was supposed to do it instead of Rajinikanth"
When Robot came into picture, it was actually supposed to be made about ten years back when I was called in for it. Back then, Kamal Hassan was supposed to do it instead of Rajinikanth. We did a photo shoot with Preity Zinta and others, but with the confusion of the budgets it was stalled. When it came to fore recently, the makers called me again and the whole project had to be worked upon from scratch. It was challenging and I automatically got into the scene intricately. I think that's how you can show your talent.

“I made a thirteen feet long shark by attaching the model onto a boat” With two more films in the pipeline, another director got in touch with me to make a shark that could go under water. I made a thirteen feet long shark by attaching the model onto a boat, Read More">which worked out quiteRead More

"I made a thirteen feet long shark by attaching the model onto a boat"
With two more films in the pipeline, another director got in touch with me to make a shark that could go under water. I made a thirteen feet long shark by attaching the model onto a boat, which worked out quite well. By the time I finished this film, I had already received about five films to work on. There was no looking back since I was enjoying the work. Whatever I have studied in preparing myself to work on a project has helped me immensely in becoming an art director. Today I have no complaints, because I am getting great work and remuneration along with recognition so what else can I ask for. While the designs could be made at my place where we sit and plan things out, I mostly operate out of my house after the designing phase where the sets are carried out on locations or studio floors.

"It is up to us to visualize and foresee what works best for a film"
When the subject is finalized, the director normally calls me and ideates what the film should look like. If you look at Virasat, there is a colour coordination pattern that we have decided of the people, costumes and backdrops. The women's costumes had a muted look with earthy type of colors and all the men were wearing white. It is up to us to visualize and foresee what works best for a film. The director of Agneepath was looking for a very rugged feel to the film and on agreeing with my suggestion on shooting in Diu, we made an entire setup there. Every film is different if you get into the details you would realize; a lot can enhance the sets visually or realistically. Gardish was more realistic as compared to Hey Ram which was more stylized but, again it had warm tones in it. On the other hand, if you look at Robot, it had a totally futuristic look to it and yet it had to be believable with its present day theme.