Interview: Adiraj Singh

Adiraj Singh’s short film First Time, centers around a couple and is set over one night as they give each other one final chance to save their relationship from falling apart for good. It is a tender story of affection that digs into their emotional journey with high tensions and vulnerability when all their problems come up to rekindle the flame of love.  

It has been selected at the Bengaluru Film Festival, Pune Film Festival, Goa Film Festival, Kolkata Film Festival, Shortfundly, and Shorted. It is also currently in the final rounds for the Indie Cannes Short Awards, Jaipur Film Festival, and several other festivals in Europe.   

In this interview he talks about how he trained himself as a director, the germination of the idea and his decision to work with two seasoned actors.

Briefly tell us about your background and interest in filmmaking. 

I grew up watching and adoring films. It sparked my interest in filmmaking from a young age. I wanted to pursue filmmaking in college, but my parents insisted that I study business. They thought that my passion for films was just a phase that would eventually fade. Instead, my desire to make films only grew stronger.

I got my first practical experience in filmmaking, while working as an intern in the direction department of the film RAW, followed by another internship on the film Bharat. Soon I realized that I lacked the technical background in filmmaking. So, I joined Casting Bay, where I not only got to read scripts but also learned how the casting process works. Why it’s such a crucial part of filmmaking. It taught me how important it is to choose the right actors because they bring characters to life in ways that can make or break a story.

My experience at Casting Bay led me to direct my first play in Mumbai. This gave me the confidence to take my filmmaking dreams further. I then completed a short course at NYFA in New York to further enhancce my technical skills. After returning India, I directed,First Time, my first short film.

How did you come up with the idea for the film?

The idea for the film came from a personal experience I had in one of my relationships, and as well as observing similar struggles in other people’s relationships. I realized that communication is often the cornerstone of for a relationship flourishes or falls apart. 

Through this film I wanted to explore how easily misunderstandings and emotional walls can form, and how important it is to continually communicate openly to keep a relationship alive and thriving.

Why did you began the film with a quote from Ursula K. Le Guin?

The quote from Ursula K. Le Guin beautifully captures the central theme of the story. Relationships need to be nurtured, worked on continuously through communication, understanding, and mutual growth. 

Why did you use food as a catalyst to strengthen the bond between the couple?

Cooking or sharing a meal is an intimate act. It requires attention and collaboration. In the film, the act of preparing and eating together allows Shefali and Hussain to reconnect on a deeper, and more emotional level. Moreover, as they role-play and express their unspoken thoughts food serves as the bridge that reconnects them. So, I used food as a catalyst to strengthen the bond between the couple.

Tell us about your choice of the color scheme to evoke emotion in the film?

I began the film with warm tones to symbolize the lingering familiarity and comfort between Shefali and Hussain. It representing their shared history and the remnants of their bond. Despite  tension there is still warmth and care in their relationship.

As the film progresses, and they begin to delve deeper into their feelings through role-playing, the cooler tones take over. The cooler tones are meant to evoke a sense of uncertainty as they are no longer hiding behind their walls. 

This shift from warm to cooler tone is a visual metaphor to represent their complex process of emotional confrontation and renewal.

Why did you decide to cast Saurabh Sachdeva and Priya Pereira Chhabria?

Saurabh Sachdeva has often been cast in negative roles. So, I wanted to showcase a different side of him. I believed that he could bring an authenticity and emotional weight to the character of Hussain.

As for Priya Pereira Chhabria, I felt she embodied the qualities needed for Shefali’s character. She could be someone who could be both confident, and at times, intimidating to Hussain. She has a unique ability to be nonchalant while still delivering a commanding presence. 

Together, they brought the perfect balance to the film, and made the dynamics between the two characters compelling and believable.

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