Director, Samit Kakkad: “Dharavi is my second home!”

Director, Samit Kakkad has been making the headlines in the last few weeks for the hit series Dharavi Bank on MX Player. It's the Top Binged Show on OTT (COTT Week:  20th - 26th Nov 2022) after rating a high of 9.7 in the first weekend since its launch. 

Critics & audiences have loved the casting with Suniel Shetty making his OTT debut opposite Vivek Anand Oberoi, the story & screenplay, the cinematography, the dialogues, the realism set in the maze of crowded bylanes of Dharavi, the sharp and edgy editing, the production & costume designs, the ensemble cast filled with talented performers who are now known by their character names, the haunting background score and the aesthetics of a gripping crime thriller making it all look like a magnum opus mainstream film rather than an  webseries. Enjoying the appreciation from every unimaginable region of India & despite being busy with the recee of his film's second schedule, Samit takes us through his journey from growing up in Dharavi to editing TV shows to directing Dharavi Bank.
 
1. Tell us about your career? How did it all start?
It all began for me when as a young boy, I would accompany my father, Amar Kakkad, to his ad and corporate film sets. Frankly, I don't remember how old I was then but I vividly remember what my father did. He inspired me to right from the time when I played on his lap. When I grew up, I just knew that this is all I wanted to do and, that I would do it on my own. I did not depend on my father for any push to further my career. I started editing TV shows and later, assisted Mahesh Manjrekar, Rahul Dholakia in direction and Basheer Ali in Cinematography. I continued to assist till I sensed some confidence in myself to create my own content. There comes a time when we realise that we have a voice of our own. I realised it, too. That's when I decided to take the plunge and direct. And, I moved upward and forward, slowly but surely from there.
 
2. List the failures & successes you've had?
You don't choose between your children and I won't choose between my films and shows. They are like my children. I have nurtured them, given them life and they will, hopefully, outlive me. Rather than successes or failures, I see them as experiences and I feel a sense of pride that there are quite a few milestones, across languages and mediums.
 
3. Your journey as a producer & director?
My journey as a producer and director has been crazy, challenging and yet, extremely rewarding. I think along the way. This  journey gave me a few really close friends, some fabulous work associates and technicians who are the lifeline of everything I create. This journey has been difficult but extremely empowering and encouraging for me. The good part is that despite challenges, I didn't stop. That is when one taps into their true strengths. 
 
4. Has the film-making landscape changed since you started?
Yes! Vastly changed! From handwritten scripts to printed and filed copies, from Devnagri script to everything down to English, the corporate culture, the way money changes hands, the transparency in every aspect of the business and lastly, the most important one - the number of mediums to work with. Everything has changed and improved for the better. It has diversified and expanded so much, opening up avenues for all kinds of filmmakers. That's one of the reasons some of my projects, including Dharavi Bank, saw the light of day. It's very reassuring to be in this space right now. 
 
5. From Indori Ishq to Dharavi Bank on MX Player,  how does it feel to direct stories that mass audiences fall in love with?
Indori Ishq was my debut in the OTT space. Dharavi Bank took it many notches higher, becoming the Top Binged Show in India, and I admit, it feels fantastic when the audience appreciates your work and gives you so much love for what you have spent over a year creating. And, audiences has loved not just these two series but also loved 36 Gunn, Indori Ishq,  Half Ticket,  Aayna Ka Bayna and Ashcharya Chakit to name a few of my other films. I am proud and happy with the fact that my stories have always caught the imagination of audiences and given me plenty work to be thankful for.
 
6. How did you prepare for Dharavi Bank & having spent your childhood in Dharavi, what made you set the series in it knowing its complexities? How did you overcome the challenges of shooting there?
The technical recee and preparation took us around seven months. I didn't need to prepare myself to shoot in Dharavi. It's where I've played  as a child. My mother ran a factory inside Dharavi. I used to spend hours playing in the bylanes with the children of the women who worked for my mother. I made friends with the locals in that area and that area is like my second home. People staying there know me and they helped us a lot while shooting. The series was already set in Dharavi when I came on board. And knowing what we were planning to make, it didn't sound or feel like a complex activity. The only biggest challenge was to shoot there during the second and third waves of COVID. I have to give it to my actors who were extremely sporting, supportive and co-operative while shooting there.
 
7. Please share your experiences working with Suniel, Vivek & Sonali? Was it the first time you worked with them?
It was a first in an official capacity but I've known them socially for years. I have had a great experience working with them. They have been the most sporting and probably the most hard working actors I have worked with. They were completely in sync with my vision for the show and sailed with what I had in mind. I didn't see them resisting anything. In fact, they did everything to make sure I got what I was looking for. Their discipline, dedication & focus is something that all young actors should learn from!
 
8. Dharavi Bank is a phenomenal success & in its 4th week continues to be watched & loved - what do you attribute the success to?
I would give it to the entire team, especially all my technicians, my assistants and Team MX Player who pushed the envelope and delivered a great product. It takes an entire team to put in their best for something like that to happen. Plus, I think the timing of the show was perfect. MX Player gave it ample time to grow and they publicised it well across India. They also gave me a huge field to work without interfering. Without all of this, there's no Dharavi Bank and no success!
 
9. What's next for you?
I'm shooting a Marathi film, produced by Punit Balan. Then I have a Hindi film, produced by Sanjay Gupta. There's plenty more!
 
10. Will there be a second season of Dharavi Bank?
I hope so...At the moment, we are just celebrating and soaking in the success of our series.
 
11. Which are your Top Three Shows in 2022 that you've watched on OTT?
Delhi Crime Season Two, The Crown Season Five and Panchayat. I think they were fantastic.  
 
12. Which do you prefer and why? Films or OTT?
Both as together, they keep me occupied and alive.