Introduce Yourself : It's Never Too Late by Prabhjot Bhatia

I recently completed my first short film called The Anniversary, and am now, on way to do another towards end of the year. It took me a long time doing this film...decades!! Though the journey has been long, it wasn't yesterday that I got drawn into films. During my school days in India, watching movies, let alone working in the industry, was frowned upon. We were allowed one movie in a year provided that parents had seen it first and approved. There was no TV or internet those days. For all your knowledge you read books which you borrowed from a public library miles away. Out of school, and also my parents shadow, I entered marine engineering college and came to Bombay. This lively city was also the mecca of Indian film industry. I fell in love with films. In my six months in Bombay I read a beautiful book on photography, one on cinematography and another on film direction. Here, I also chanced to meet not only some then famous film personalities but also some mega actors, directors and screen writers of today who were then struggling to enter the scene. I borrowed a camera from a class-mate and took my first 12 pictures in order to build my portfolio. With this I went to the Film Institute of India and managed to get admission. My circumstances however led me to complete my engineering and fate took me to sea to see the world. For decades that little seed (or the worm) in the brain lay dormant. Now in London that little seed has started to grow. Did I feel odd sitting in a class of young teenagers at the MET Film School in Ealing Studios. Not really! In fact, when I called someone Sonny one day, he kinda looked strangely in my eyes with disbelief. I agree I am a little odd in this respect. Most people plan for retirement at my age. For me, its an opportunity to realise my dreams. And today, more than ever, I say the same thing I said at the interview of the Film Institute of India, "I feel I can make a difference"! Movie making fascinates me and I hope to see it through with my first feature film next year. For now though, until the end of the year, I am rushing to finish my first novel. I hope in due course I'll be able to meet up and talk to some of you and exchange our filmic experience :-)