NEWS

Ram Madhvani: Things I wish I’d known when I was 18

Remember the fabulously happy Happydent from a couple of years ago?  That was the spot that first made us sit up and take notice of India’s top director Ram Madhvani. We’ve loved his unique style ever since. In the second of our series, we asked the Equinox Films and Great Guns director to share his wisdoms with us.

Here’s looking at you kid

1. Identify your voice. Protect your voice. Re-invent your voice.

2. Start an inward journey. Meditate daily. Schedule time for yourself to refertilise.

3. Do not be scared of saying you don’t know. From that creative honesty,
good work can become great.

4. Become a good raconteur. Practice your raconteur skills and you will
become a good story teller.

5. Learn to sing.

6. When bored ( at a party for eg ) or intimidated by where you are, put on
your director’s hat and observe. Become an objective outsider rather than a
subjective insider.

7. Give your team a sense of ownership ( or at least pretend to ).

8. Never become someone’s opinion of you.

9. Develop your Director’s ‘Manner’. Like a doctor has a ‘bedside manner’, a
director must have a director’s manner. Work at creating a good atmosphere at a shoot.

10. Don’t put on weight around the stomach.

Other News

April Deadline nearing

Time flies and we’re already nearing the end of March, meaning that the Standard submission  More…

Earlybird deadline coming up

The first deadline for 2026 is around the corner. At midnight March 1, submission prices for this  More…

The Producer’s Responsibility when the machine knocks on the door

For many young directors today, it has become possible to create images, worlds and moods  More…

YDA2026 Open for Entries

This year’s Young Director Award has opened its doors for the next wave of directorial talent.  More…

YDA Announces 2026 Jury Chair

Mal Ward, Partner in and Managing Director of Arts & Sciences, will be 2026 Jury  More…

Getting to grips with Turkish oil wrestling​

Directors Jan Hellwich and Samet Yalcin won a Gold this year for their passion project Turkish  More…