'Nothing is absolute'

Vidhi Kasliwal began her career as an assistant producer for Woh Rehne Wali Mehlon Ki on Zee TV and went on to assist her uncle Sooraj Barjatya as an assistant director for the movie Vivah. She also worked as a chief assistant director for the movie Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi and directed the movie Isi Life Mein under the same banner. And it was then when she fell in love with filmmaking and decided to pursue her career in it.

She founded Landmarc Films under which she produced many documentaries like Block By Block, Saathi Haath Badhana and Building For The Future. She also made Marathi film Sanngto Aika and now has set her feet firm in Bollywood.

“I loved watching movies but never thought I’d be making them! It happened by chance, post my younger sister’s marriage (marriages are also like projects in India). I had a lot of time on hand and no clear picture of what exactly I wanted to do after having dabbled in events, TV, etc. Sooraj ji was making Vivah at the time and I asked him if I could assist. And he said “okay, come from tomorrow.” And here I am, 10 years later!” says Kasliwal.
The 35-year-old feels “proud” of the legacy she belongs to and believes that each film she was a part of taught her a lot about filmmaking and herself.

“There’s so much I’ve learnt from the family I belong. And each movie I did under their banner gave me so much.

Vivah gave me clarity that this is what I want to do. The second one, Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi gave me confidence that I could do it. And the third one Isi Life Mein, my first as an independent director, gave me an experience of a lifetime!” she says.

Born and brought up in Mumbai, Kasliwal is currently  making Marathi films under her banner and working on Hindi films as well. However, she loves to do movies that explore human relationships.

“I think I'd be better at directing interpersonal stories, films about relationships. And the one I can’t direct, I’d love to produce. What keeps me going is new ideas, new concepts. Basically the idea has to strike a chord,” says Kasliwal.

Meanwhile, commenting on the trend of remakes prevailing in Bollywood, she says, “I don’t see any harm in remakes, but if you are remaking a film, I feel you need to give it your personal spin off. You need to make it your own, because, whatever you do, how can you make a classic better?”

The young director who believes that “nothing is absolute” wishes that she comes  up with different stories and keeps evolving.