"What I can write, others probably won’t be able to." - Neha Soni

The suspense-thriller film The Secret of Devkaali is creating quite a buzz these days. In an interview with Mayapuri Magazine, the creative director and writer of this film, Neha Soni, shared insights about the film’s content, her experience with lead actor Neeraj, the star cast, her filmmaking journey, upcoming projects, and plans. Here's what she had to say.

• You’ve worked with Neeraj before. How was your experience working with him again?

We’ve worked together for almost three years, so our bond has grown very strong. He’s the director, and I’m the creative director, so there’s a lot of discussion between us. We agree on many things, and at times we also disagree. Over time, I’ve started enjoying working with him, and we’re doing some great work together. I’m sure we’ll continue doing so in the future.

• As a writer, where do you draw your inspiration from?

Well, if I share this with you, you might already know Sanjay Chauhan, the writer, director, and actor of I Am Kalam. I’ve worked as a guest writer with him and have learned a lot, especially about dialogue writing. My writing journey has been quite long. I started by writing articles, then moved to small stories, and eventually to screenwriting. I’ve also helped others write dialogues for films. Most of the time, I worked as a ghostwriter, helping people improve their scripts. But when I was offered Dev Kali, I got a ready-made concept, and I had to shape it well. After several discussions, we decided on an ensemble cast and wrote dialogues accordingly. We created multiple drafts, and the dialogues kept evolving.

• The film features a stellar cast, including Sanjay Mishra, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Zareen Wahab, among others. How was your experience working with them?

It was an amazing experience. People often say that big actors don’t cooperate, but I don’t agree with that. Everyone has some initial fear when doing something new. Once that fear is crossed, it becomes a positive experience for both sides. The actors were deeply immersed in their characters and maintained their dignity on set. While there wasn’t much interaction on set, offset, in the vanity vans, they treated us like their own children. They would ask us to share the story with them and understand the vision behind the film.

• I’ve heard that parts of the film were shot in Mathura and Vrindavan. As a creative director, what was your experience shooting there?

The experience was great, but shooting in Mathura during the summer was a bit exhausting for everyone. The biggest challenge was finding the right locations. But by the end of it, everything came together. The film’s story revolves around local characters, and the people of Mathura are very cooperative. They supported us a lot, which made the experience smoother.

• How do you view your journey as a director or writer?

I always view my journey from a director’s perspective, as that is where I see myself in the future. When I first entered the film industry, someone told me, “Neha, you don’t have to go to the set. You can stay at home and do something meaningful.” I was told that the film industry doesn’t treat women well and there are a lot of underhand dealings. But I decided to carve my path. Writing seemed to be the best way to begin, so I started writing from home for 2-3 years. After that, I stepped out, spent two years as a creative director, and then got the opportunity to write Dev Kali for Neeraj. Slowly, I kept getting opportunities and moved forward. My ultimate goal has always been to direct.

• "DevKaali" explores the idea of a Kuldevi (family goddess). How did you approach the research for this subject, and how difficult was it to write this concept?

The script is deeply research-based, and it took a lot of time to write. We had to delve into the subject, consult with experts, and make sure we were respectful and accurate. We asked many people if we could explore this theme and to what extent we could go without causing any objections. After a lot of research and discussion, we finalized the script.

• What inspired you to write this film? What motivated you the most?

About a year or two ago, we saw the rising impact of South Indian films on Bollywood. Many big films from Tollywood were making a mark, and we felt that Bollywood was lacking such strong, engaging content. From there, we got the idea to create something that would stop people from looking elsewhere for content. India has regional cinema like Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Tollywood, but Bollywood doesn’t have something comparable. This thought inspired us to create something fresh and engaging for the audience.

• What kind of films do you like to make? Which genre is your favorite?

"Dev Kali" is a suspense-thriller, but I have stories in other genres as well, including comedy, drama, and romance. I also have stories that challenge the audience to think about right and wrong and the moral choices we make. I enjoy writing stories that provoke thought and discussion.

• What does a “good film” mean to you?

For me, a good film is one that imparts a moral lesson. In the past, most films were about a hero who would come and fix everything. It’s like the old Shaktimaan series from our childhood, where we believed someone would come and solve all problems. I believe that a good film should give people something positive to think about and bring about improvement in society.

• When you write a film, what do you focus on?

Whenever I write a script, I focus on ensuring that every scene tells a story. Each scene should have its own mini-story that fits into the larger narrative. That’s what I keep in mind while writing.

• Do you have any desire to write a biopic? Is there someone you’d like to write about?

Yes, I would love to write a biopic. I’ve already written one, though it hasn’t been made into a film yet. I’ve always wanted to write a biopic on Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. A film has already been made about him, but I feel I could do justice to his story in a way others might not. I’ve also heard that a film on Modi Ji is in the works, but I feel that the way I would write it would be different from what others might offer.

• Today, films are being made and marketed in new ways. Do you think we need to evolve with the changing times?

Absolutely. For example, when we are told the budget for a film, we plan within those limits, but we often end up exceeding it. As writers, we don’t think about the budget while writing—we write from the heart, focusing on the story, whether it's a commercial film or an art film. We write without thinking about the constraints.

• Films are now being made differently, especially on OTT platforms. What’s your take on this change?

Although I haven’t yet written for OTT, I see many of my friends getting great opportunities in this space. OTT is also giving older actors a chance to come back and showcase their talent, which is really refreshing.

• What is the difference between working as a creative director and a writer?

There is a difference, but not a major one. When I was a creative director, I would receive scripts from channels, and my job was to correct them. I would make sure the scenes were grand enough and would decide how to present even a simple flower as something impactful. As a writer, I focus more on developing the script creatively and shaping it from scratch.

• As the creative director and writer of The Secret of Devkaali, what would you like to say to your audience?

I would urge you all to watch The Secret of Devkaali. It has fresh content, an inspiring story, and touches on themes that we all know but are often hesitant to discuss. It’s a new kind of film, with a new story and a new vision. Please give it a chance and share your feedback.

The Secret of Devkaali is a suspense-thriller film featuring Neeraj Chauhan in the lead role, along with Mahesh Manjrekar, Sanjay Mishra, Prashant Narayan, Zareen Wahab, and Bhumika Gurung.

by Priyanka Yadav

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