Be goal oriented and accept the reality: Brindaban Das

Brindaban Das is a well known name in the entertainment industry. With his skilful writing the artiste has been able to generate immense popularity. His scripts are known for their ability to relay rural experiences on screen. In conversation with The Daily Star, the multi-talented theatre activist shared some pointers to look out for during script writing.

How do you prepare before writing a script?

Brindaban: To begin a project I look for an inspiration. Sometimes I adapt an idea or experience of someone I know or my own. I jot down the ideas and think of a story-line. Once I am convinced with it, I start writing. Sometimes the plot changes as I write the script. 

What are the problems you face in terms of writing a script?

Brindaban: I face two major struggles, the first being overlapping of narratives. I always have to keep in mind that my script cannot overlap with any of my previous projects or anyone else's. The second hurdle I face is writer's block. All this becomes a great hindrance in starting a project and can make writing difficult.

What is missing in our entertainment section?

Brindaban: There are very few scriptwriters in the entertainment industry. People would rather join the industry as directors or actors. What we fail to comprehend is the sheer importance of writing. We need fresh minds that will study, research and possess original ideas along with writing skills. Another important element that is missing are strong, effective dialogues, for they determine the value of a script. There are vast differences between a sentence and a dialogue. To overcome this, we need workshops and lots of practice.

How was your Aynabaji experience?

Brindaban: “Aynabaji” is the first film I have worked in and to be honest I did not expect Amitabh to ask me to join his crew. I prefer to introduce myself as a scriptwriter and acting is something that requires lots of practice and dedication. Therefore, the offer came to me as a surprise. At first, I thought I would not be able to do it, but eventually it turned into a great experience.

What would be your advice to newly emerging scriptwriters?

Brindaban: I would advise them to be goal oriented and accept reality as it is. It is a very rough path to walk on. Success may or may not knock your door, but I urge them to be patient. It is also important to have an in depth understanding of our various social contexts before translating them into writing.