Balki said, "I wish there was an institute like Whistling Woods International when I was figuring out what to do with my life. You are privileged to be here as you have a chance to enter the industry by starting off so well.”
Students were very keen to know about his success mantra and he spoke about how a successful film needs a strong script to strike a chord with the audience. “As an ad-filmmaker, I feel that ad films teach focus – there are no seconds to waste and one need to be very clear about the key messaging. The best part about filmmaking is that you’re telling a story and thousands of people are seeing it unfold in front of their eyes. Therefore, my advice to students is to focus on the script. People watch a film for its story and emotions. Good craft supports the story, bad craft can destroy it. Keep your ideas as fresh as possible. Also, working with the right people is imperative.” he added.
Balki also spoke about choosing actors for his projects and managing their egos, “If actors are convinced about the script, they don’t need to be managed. If they feel passionate about the project, they will give it their best. I did not choose actors for either of my films, the script chose them."
He was also quizzed about the phenomenal success of Tata Tea’s ‘Jaago Re’ and Idea Cellular’s ad campaigns, his brainchild. “I have not consciously added any social messaging to my ad/feature films; probably it has got expressed at a subconscious level. I have only tried to express the thought through a powerful idea,” he remarked.
His final message to students before signing off was “Enjoy yourself while you are here. The real world outside is not an enjoyable as this!”
