Dil To Pagal Hai established Sharmista Roy as one of the hot shot art directors of Bollywood. With Dil to Pagal Hai, the Hindi film audience was introduced to a different genre of movies, not in terms of story, but in terms of presentation. It opened up an entirely new world which some found too removed from the world we know. The art work in the film left a strong impression in the minds of the audience.

Roy has always longed to prove her metlle when it comes to art direction Daughter of the renowned art director Sudhendu Roy, this self confessed "poor rich kid round the block" is currently working on Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam. She found time to speak to Mumbaibest despite her busy schedule.

How did you get started with art direction ?
I was planning to go in for academics but in a dramatic twist it was my mother who pushed me into doing a course in interior decoration from SNDT. I had initially thought of it as a kind of torture for three and a half years. Gradually, however, I started enjoying myself and it seemed that something new had opened up to me. As a child, I was not really allowed anywhere near my father's work. All that I did was take some paint and dabble with it. And I never considered myself as an artist. I am artistic in my thought process, but my hands are not skilled enough to be called artistic.

Tell us about your entry into the world of Hindi movies ?
During my final semester in college, Rama Naidu of Suresh Productions wanted a house in Hyderabad done up for a film. My father introduced me to Naidu who gave me a free hand. I would pick up things from Mumbai, do the drawings and the workers implemented it there. By the time I finished with my course it was time to make Anari. My father was too involved with other projects so he sent me in his place. And that was my first independent film.

Around the same time I worked with dad on the film, Aiana. In the film, my father had designed the sets and I had done the decor and the colour scheme. The next film I did was Yeh Dilagi, which was there home production of the Chopras, but not directed by them.

To what extent has your father influenced you ?
My father has influenced me not only in terms of work but also in terms of attitude and personality. He has taught me to be disciplined. It was a routine for him to go and sit at his desk everyday at nine thirty every morning whether there was work or not. For him, it was part of the work for one should gear oneself to work. You cannot afford to be be lax about your work. So when work does come up you will have the right train of thought.

I learnt a sense of space from my father. In art direction you are given an empty space which you are asked to fill in yourself. My father used to tell me that my job is to create meaningful spaces and he also tried inculcating in me the need to be subtle. Dad had moved from black and white to colour films, so there was always the chance of going overboard in the use of colour and he was very restrained when it came to the use of colours.

What changes have you noticed in terms of art direction in Bollywood films during your career ?
When I first entered art direction the whole concept of making movies had changed. Films had become more youthful and gimmicky. The use of colours was highly appreciated. Films became brighter. Today, we have become conscious that we need not go overboard when it comes to the use of colours and one can design and present things in a much more subtle manner.

Now what ever work I do, I try to be a little more rooted in reality despite the fact that films are larger than life. In fact the last film I did was Mohabbatein, where we were very subtle in terms of use of colour, which was almost monochromatic.

How is it that you are able to create a rich visual look in the movies?
It is the props that allow me to create the rich visual look in the movies that I do. I make sure that I go and pick up the correct items and not use anything from the prop shop. Attention was not paid to lots of things used earlier. The personal touch is present in whatever I do. I take a lot of care to create the right atmosphere .

How much competition have you faced in the industry ?
The industry has its own way of working. If a director is working with a particular art director then he or she would stick on to him. Here you stick to a group of people you have worked with before. I have never have had to go out and look for work. I am choosy about the people I work with.

Whom did you enjoy working with the most ?
I have enjoyed working with all the people who have given me the oppurtunity to do things my way. It is very boring to do the same thing over and over again. Because I have done Dil To Pagal Hai I cannot give some one else a similar set even if they want it for it does not fit into their script.

I enjoyed working with Prakash Jha in Mrityudand for his is a different kind of movie all together. I have worked with Khalid and Santosh Sivan from whom I learnt how it make proper utilisation of space. I have worked with Yash Chopra who has taught me how to use glamour. I have also learnt how to trick the eye. For me it is like a school where you go and meet all different kinds of people. I wear blinkers and my knowledge of the industry is my work

If one wants to become an art director how should he or she go about it ?
It is very important to study architecture but at the same time you also have to have the feel for decor. A blend of the two is a must. And knowledge of photography at the elementary level also helps. The field is very competitive. Tomorrow, there may be people who may enter the field and do much better. You have to be aware of the latest trends.

How would you describe yourself ?
I am a black and white person. Compromises are not something I make very easily. This is what makes things tougher for me as well. When it comes to my work I like to believe that I am malleable for if I am rigid then I will not grow as a person and my work will suffer on account of that. People want to work with me because I have a style. I believe that I have come at a time when certain kinds of films are being made and I have been able to deliver what is wanted. If styles were to change, I believe that I could fit into the new mould.

By : Sharmistha Chatterjee 

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