I have been inspired greatly by different filmmakers and have gone to the extent of stealing good aspects of their craft”- Ritesh S. Kumar

In this exclusive one on one interview debutant filmmaker Ritesh S. Kumar who has directed his film Secrets of Love tells JYOTHI VENKATESH for bollyy.com and Mayapuri that his film is not sleazy at all but it is inspired by the life and times of Osho and the highlight of his film is that Member of Parliament and actor Ravi Kishan is essaying the role of Osho in his film.

The film Secrets of Love is your debut film as a director. What propelled you to turn a director? At a very young age, I was lured towards graphics. How did you begin your journey?

I hail from Bihar. I joined Arena Media in Patna and then came down to Mumbai and joined Mac and worked on graphics in a number of films.

My interest in films grew after I did VFX for a film called 27 starring Pankaj Tripathi when I also learnt editing and started shooting short videos. I made my debut with a short film called Mridang as a director.

Is Secrets of Love a biopic? Or is it a sleazy film or is it a serious film?

It is not a sleazy film by any stretch. I would not say that it is a serious film or for that matter even a biopic.

It is a film which dwells on the approach at life and set out to tell at length what love actually is in today’s context as things stand, because all said and done, love has had a lot of unfair connotations, especially since it is a term which is grossly misused. We have set out to depict the three stages of love.

Can you elucidate what the three stages of love are?

The first is obviously falling in love while the second is about being in love and the third is where love leads one in life ultimately. The film is based on real life experiences.

Is it true that it is a biopic on Rajneesh Acharya as it is based on his experiences in life and love?

Though it is a film which is based on the life of Osho, and how he looked at life and love with a lot of detachment, it is not a biopic of Rajneesh Acharya or Osho. I do not refer to Osho or for that matter Rajneesh throughout my film.

Is it true that M.P. Ravi Kishan is playing the role of Oho in the film?

Ravi Kishan is playing the role of Osho in the film Secrets of Love. Osho had a very open mind on sex and we felt that Ravi Kishan is suited to playing the part as he is not only young but also a good actor.

How did you zero in on Ravi Kishan who has not been taking up assignments as an actor ever since he had stood for elections two years ago?

To be frank, we did try the get up of Osho on quite a few actors earlier but ultimately we realized that it was Ravi Kishan who alone was suited to play the role especially since his eyes bear a very striking resemblance to late Osho.

Ravi Kishan will play the role of Osho right from young age till he turns 60 at the time of his death in the film.

Where did you shoot your film?

We shot our film Secrets of Love for over 35 days in and around Benaras, Lonavla and Madh Island in Mumbai. We shot the portions of Osho’s childhood in Benaras.

Why did you not shoot your film in Osho’s Ashram in Pune?

We did try to ask for it but we were denied the permission to shoot the film in Pune and hence we decided to recreate the sets of his Ashram in Lonavla.

When are you releasing your ambitious project? Are you targeting a theatrical release or an OTT platform for releasing your film?

We are in talks both with various OTT platforms as well as distributors and exhibitors to release Secrets of Love in May this year.

Right now besides looking after the post production of the film, I am also in talks with the state government for subsidy

What was the total cost of your production?

We have spent nearly about one crore and a half rupees in producing the film and we plan to invest an equal amount in the marketing as well as publicity of the film.

Do you feel that with a star M.P like Ravi Kishan playing the role in your film as Osho, your film has a slightly better edge than other films?

The best thing about our film is that not only was the late Osho by himself a very big larger than life personality but Ravi Kishan also is not only a star but also an M.P.

Are you a devotee of Osho?

I was drawn towards meditation because of Osho. I have listened to a lot of his speeches. Listening to his speeches was like being in a trance, like a Mayajal from which I could not at all extricate myself.

Which are the film makers who have inspired you a lot?

I have been greatly inspired by a lot of filmmakers including Anurag Basu, Yash Chopra and Ramgopal Varma.

I have no qualms to go on record that in my pursuit for excellence, I have even gone to the extent of stealing good aspects of their craft

What next, after Secrets of Love is released?

Right now, I am directing a web series called Bullet Pen, which deals with the journey of a person from a pen to a bullet. It is being shot for MX Players where it will be streamed later this year.