Teaching
Thesis Test Cut
This test shoot eventually determined the self-reflexive style of “Unfinished”.
Postman
This is a dialogue exercise directed for the 2012 year students at FTII. It was exciting to work with a student crew and a professional cast: Raghubir Yadav and Devika Daftardar. An adaptation from “Kafka and the Doll: The Pervasiveness of Loss”.
Single Frame Exercise
“Phone Angst” (2019), a film created out of a single image. Made during Phil Hoffman’s Process Cinema class at York University.
Nazaraana Excerpt
An extract from my 90 minute feature film made for television (Zee Network), produced by T. N. Mohan.
Inner Monologue
Excerpts from my television film “Gunaah” (2002) in which inner monologues were used as a device to reveal the interior world of the character.
Excerpt: Earth Crusader
In this excerpt from “Earth Crusader”, Didi critiques the architecture school’s heavy concrete design, urging students to question their environment and listen to their instincts rather than conforming to what they’re taught. She believes this is essential for creating spaces where life can be graceful.
Didi & Hema
One of my favorite scenes that didn’t make it to the final cut of my film “Earth Crusader”. Two amazing octogenarians in conversation about how to preserve a legacy for future generations.
Student Interviews and Readings
These edited sequences from Peacock Plume didn’t make it to the final cut of the film. However, they form an important part of Shubhada Varadkar‘s artistic practice as an Odissi dance guru and performer.
Coverage in Documentary
This sequence from “Peacock Plume” focuses on her relationship between child and mother. Observe the “coverage” elements in this brief clip; especially the section in which the mother is painting: perhaps a way of coping with her daughter’s illness.
Acting for Camera
A course proposed for the Fine Arts stream, across specializations.
Teaching Presence
Teachers with presence build relationships with students in the classroom and seek ways to relate to students beyond the classroom. Teachers with presence coach, engage, listen, and ultimately mentor students as they teach.
Teaching Philosophy: A Reflective Video
As a filmmaker, I often surprise my students when I tell them I cannot teach them filmmaking in the traditional sense. Their reactions reveal their surprise, but I explain: the how – the technical skills and techniques – are learned by watching films, exploring resources online or through hands on practice.
What I can guide them toward, however, is discovering their own unique voice. My role is to help them tap into their own creativity, unlocking the personal vision that sets them apart as storytellers.
Performance Experiment
“Kill Mama”
A solo performance creation.
Voice: Shabnam Sukhdev
Script, Editing: Shabnam Sukhdev
Software: Premier Pro
Long Take
An extract from my 1-hour telefilm Telephone made for the Star Plus Television Network. I use this as an example of a long take in scene blocking.
My Daughter, Myself
A short film made in John Greyson‘s Production class during my MFA program at York University. It was a prop exercise. The choice of my prop was a photo album.
Graduate Seminar
I was experimenting with style and form while developing ideas for my MFA thesis film.