On my pinboard - Pawan Kumar

When Kannada film ‘Lucia’ released in 2013, it created waves for its unique content and cinematic treatment.

Since then, audiences have waited with baited breath for director Pawan Kumar’s next film release and he didn’t disappoint.

 ‘U-Turn’, which is still running in theatres, is proof that there is scope for experimental and narrative-driven scripts in the Kannada film industry. Alongside direction, Pawan also writes and scripts his stories.

He also utilises social media to its fullest and sketches stories with amazing clarity.
These aspects make him an approachable and forthcoming director who doesn’t hesitate when narrating a tale.

1 | Author
Hermann Hesse

“I am not much of a reader. When I start reading a book, my mind automatically starts turning it into a script and I can’t enjoy it as a work of literature; the joy of reading someone else’s work is lost. But if I really like a book, I finish it in 2 or 3 days. If I don’t like the first few pages, I don’t bother continuing. The one book that has stayed with me till now and will do so forever is ‘Siddhartha’ by Hermann Hesse, which I read a few years ago.”

2 | Director
David Fincher

“I have learnt a lot by watching his films, not just in terms of technique but also how he tells a story. ‘Fight Club’ is my favourite David Fincher film and I’ve seen it multiple times. I was in my early 20s when I first watched it and it opened my mind to many ideas. I love the way he narrates the stories and the visual appeal he creates on screen. And with every new film, he goes a step forward. He tells the stories he wants but makes them appealing to the audience. I also enjoyed ‘The Social Network’ and ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons’.”

3 | Place
Auroville

“I like the laid back, quiet life there, even though I’m not particularly fond of coastal areas because of the humidity. I have been there 3 times — when I was in college, after I got married and when my daughter was born. The last time I went there was when my daughter was around a year and a half. It was her first time at the beach and she took time getting used to the sand and the waves. She’d lift her legs upwards when I tried to get her near the water! It was a memorable experience. I’m hoping to go back there soon as she’s old enough to enjoy it now.”

4 | Music
Hans Zimmer

“I don’t like a particular band or singer; I mostly listen to original soundtracks (OST) from films. I like compositions by Hans Zimmer a lot. His compositions have stories and conversations in them, and I feel inspired by that when I am writing my films. My phone and pen drives are filled with OSTs. The soundtracks of films like ‘Interstellar’ are so layered that even without lyrics, they have something to say. I also like the sound track of ‘Amelie’ by Yann Tiersen. This inspires me to write my romantic scenes. I love the way the accordion and the violin converge. I also like Spanish singer Bebe.”

5 | Movie
‘Forrest Gump’

“I think it’s one of the best films that I have watched. It’s not just a visual treat but it’s also filled with life lessons. I first saw it when I was in college, craving some good movies. I was so impressed by it and 3 other films (‘Fight Club’, ‘Philadelphia’ and ‘Schindler’s List’) that I bought the original DVDs, even though I had no money. They helped shape my personality so I thought I should own the originals. And of course, Tom Hanks is another reason I enjoyed the film. I watch ‘Forrest Gump’ everytime I am a little lost in life, and I even made my dad watch it. He didn’t relate to it as much as I did but he liked it. Most of my friends and family like the movie.”

6 | Food
Chinese crispy chop suey

“I’m actually more of a rice and ‘rasam’ kind of guy but the ‘Chinese crispy chop suey’ seems to be a dish I have eaten numerous times over the years. There’s a Chinese restaurant near my house and I take everyone there. Inevitably, I end up ordering the same dish every time. I liked the eatery because the waiters never recognised me. But recently, a waiter asked me to try something new; I felt like I was caught!”

7 | Inspiration
Anurag Kashyap

“I don’t think there’s one person in particular who inspires me; all the contemporary filmmakers whose works are appreciated by the audience do. They motivate and inspire me to do better. At times, I get jealous of their work and this pushes me to work harder, which is what happened with ‘U-Turn’. I don’t know how they feel but this healthy competition keeps me going. But if I had to put a name to it, Anurag Kashyap is a filmmaker whose work inspired me a lot when I started off. And of course, Christopher Nolan. My dad is also an inspiration in terms of how he raised me and my brother. I have one child who is 2-years-old and it tires me, I don’t know how he managed for 32 years!”

(As told to Ananya Revanna)