Many odia audience may have seen Maddhaban and Bipasha Basu starrer ‘Jodie Breakers’ in theatres recently. But most of them might have no knowledge about the man behind this movie. Birenjyoti Mohanty, an odia boy with bollywood dreams, has carved a niche in hindi movie industry as a film editor of essence and fragrance. A student of acting of Sangeet Mahabidyalay in Odisha, Biren had given introduction of his talent in Sanjay Dutt & Imran Khan starrer 2009 movie ‘Luck’. After that he has edited an odia movie ‘Chocolate’. ‘Jodie Breakers’ is his second movie in Bollywood which took him to a soaring new height. In an exclusive interview with Biren, Odiaone talks to him about his life and time that was, that is and that is going to be.

 1.      How it all started? What drove you into editing?

I came to know about editing after 2 years of joining at Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, when my seniors took me into the shooting sets and editing studios. Since I was techno savvy from the beginning, and was interested to know about computers & technology, I developed an interest in editing when I watched editing done on computers. Besides I was also pursuing multimedia at Pentasoft. At that time I used to ask my friends about how I can get into this profession. Gradually, I got to know that in order to do editing I must, first, assist any established editor. Then I tried contacting many editors and went to them. But initially I did not get any response. Then once Bijay Mohanty asked me about my career plans and introduced me to Susant Mani. Till that time I didn’t know much about Susant Mani and that he also had about 15 assistants working under him. But Susant Mani took me and taught me. At Pentasoft, I was aware of the technicalities but under Sanu bhai (Susant Mani) I learned the art of editing.

2.      How did you push your luck into Bollywood?

Almost everyone nurtures a dream of coming and working in Bombay. It is a business hub and a city of opportunities. Besides, every filmmaker’s biggest dream is to make films in Bollywood. As you know Bombay is popularly called the city of dreams, I also had dreams to go down to Bombay and edit a big banner movie. So, in 2005, I came here and started working. Initially, struggle was inevitable and I do accept that it is a part of life. Except my elder brother, I did not have any reference or acquaintance at Bombay. I started as an assistant in editing serials. My first edited serial was Cinevista’s ‘Kohinoor’. After a year, I desperately tried for movies because my sole aim was to be a film editor. But Bollywood won’t give you a chance, unless you are not richly experienced. Later on I did get opportunities; I got a chance to edit a Hollywood movie ‘First Fear’ on location. After this, film editors gave me chance for association. Earlier, they were never showed interest in me.

 3.      When did you get chance to edit ‘Luck’ and what was your feeling? How much was the struggle to get this work?

Actually, at first, I was the assistant editor of ‘Luck’ and the editor was Sanjay Sankla. Since he is a reputed & very busy editor here, he didn’t have enough time to come & edit ‘Luck’. In the meantime, I used to edit it myself under the director’s guidance. The director, being impressed with my work, gave me the chance to edit it on my own.

 4.      According to you, which & who is the best edited movie & editor?

It is difficult to categorize good and bad editing. Generally, good editing can be said if the film is made with less footage. And every movie is made with the director’s perspective and is released with the director’s approval. An editor gives his best to every work. It is the shooting that influences and shapes the editing. If you ask me about who is my favourite editor then there are Amitav Shukla, Deepa Bhatia, Arati Bajaj, Akib Ali, and Bella Sehgal who is sister of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I have always admired Akib Ali’s editing from my initial learning days. Though I haven’t gotten chance to work with them, but I always wanted to.
 5.      According to you which is the worst edited movie?

As an editor, I cannot say a movie that is badly edited. It is always the film making process that determines the end result. If the shooting, script, acting, camera are not up to the mark, then a good result in editing can never be achieved. Editing is like Cooking. If the ingredients are not good, how badly you try you never come up with a tasty dish.

 6.      Luck or Jodie Breakers? Which is your favourite?

I was emotionally attached with the two. Luck was my first film and an impossible target for me, but as I could complete it, it gave me strength and confidence in my ability. So it will always remain as a respectable and memorable experience for me.

 7.      7. You are involved with the shooting process of ‘Jodie Breakers’ also. Any special moments?

Yes, actually, as a worker, everyone in the film set including directors and actors like me. It is because; on-location editors generally don’t perform their duty properly. But, unlike many others, I, apart from editing, took care of continuity check and overall scene impact. So everyone appreciates me. Maddy (Madhaban) and Bipasha (Basu) regularly appreciate me and even occasionally make fun of me. Maddy is used to yell at me, and when I react, he smiles and says ‘I was kidding’. Bipasha, too, calls me if she is unhappy with certain shots. I make a rough edit there and convince her that it will look good on screen.

8.      Are you selective in doing odia movies? Only Susant Mani’s films?

I am definitely looking forward to do odia movies and have also done one or two. But as I am staying in Bombay, it is not always possible to go down to Odisha for doing an odia movie. But as Sanu bhai gives moral support and helps me a lot while editing his movies, I have done two of his films- ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Luchakali’. One needs to co-operate me and I need to be attached with him in order to do his film. But till now I have not got any offers from odia film makers. If I get one, I will definitely do that if time permits. I will also try my level best to make the movie look good.

9.      Any Interesting/Memorable moment in life.

When Sanu bhai called me to edit ‘Chocolate’, it was a big moment for me in life. It was interesting and memorable because Sanu bhai is my teacher and it is always difficult to work and impress your teacher since he is the one who can know where you are going right or wrong. Apart from that, he is an inspiring person in my life. Whenever I go Odisha, meeting Sanu bhai is my first priority than home. And whenever I meet him, he always surprises me by teaching a new thing. He is a great film maker. Staying at Odisha where scope and exposure is limited, he researches and tries to do movies of national level. I always admire him.

10.      How do you rate odia movies aesthetically & technically? How can they be better?

There is a difference in the style of work in Bollywood and Ollywood. The procedure & format of work in both are different. Whenever I get a chance, I want to apply that Bollywood style of work in odia films. But the result is not always fruitful. As I have said earlier that shooting and shot taking affect the postproduction of a movie. But these are not loopholes of odia movies. Generally, there is no rule in film making. If a story flows through, then it is alright. If a movie does good business then all is well. I am not saying odia films are bad or poorly made. But in my opinion they can be made in a better way. For instance, when national level artists work in odia movies, their looks and the output is not the same as it is in Bollywood movies. So I would say there is a scope and need for betterment in odia movies despite the truth of low budget and lack of standard film making tools. But I have seen a significant change in odia film making. I am very happy with the progress. Since it is not a day’s work, better pre production and planning may lead to a significant change in future and I’m quite optimistic about it. It is our duty to take odia movies further and make it better.

11.  ‘Chocolate’ and now ‘Luchakali’? How’s it? Thrillers are new to Ollywood?

Well, this (Luchakali) is the first film, in which I was surprised to see the footage. I updated my status in facebook that I never expected to see this kind of footage in odia cinema! I haven’t seen such kind of shots in odia movies earlier. I haven’t started its editing but I assure you it will be a whole new kind of film for the odia audience. You will surely be thrilled when you watch its first look. Technically and artistically it is going to be a sound film.

12.       Future plans. Ollywood, Bollywood and…..is Hollywood your next!

Though I see lot of foreign films, I have never thought of working in Hollywood. It was always Bollywood. I have never tried for Hollywood as I’m passionate for Bollywood & Ollywood.  But if I ever get a chance I will definitely go for Hollywood though I haven’t tried for it yet.

13.       Whom you will remain Thankful all your life?

Though I should first thank my teacher, but it is my mother to whom I will always be thankful. She is my strength and has always given me moral support. And next is Sanu bhai who not only taught me editing but also taught me how to be a good human being and behave agreeably. He is immensely inspirational. I always try to be like him.