The headline represents the numerous whispers heard from the gallery, as Ajay Naidu arrived at the 2nd annual India International Film Festival at the Channelside Cinemas in Tampa Bay. His film, Ashes, was the opening night work chosen to kick-off the fast-growing festival put on by the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce.
Ashes marks Ajay’s directorial debut. The film has played in Chicago, New York and Toronto. Although it only took two months to shoot and produce, Ajay has been cultivating this piece for roughly 10 years. He estimates that he wrote about 40 drafts during that time and if it wasn’t for all the love from his entire cast and crew, the flick would have never come to fruition.
Once Ajay finished greeting everyone on the red-carpet, he and I grabbed a drink and he obliged me in doing a relatively brief exclusive during the opening night reception. And yes, I worked in an Office Space and Bored to Death question (sometimes, it is about me).
Before we get to that fun stuff, I asked Ajay if the reason it took 10 years to complete Ashes was due to him not having the time due to his acting obligations. Was he piecing it together over time?
“It wasn’t that simple. I had a brilliant producers and a great family support system that came through at the last minute to make the film happen. We made a dollar from fifteen cents with the film, and the production value got very high.”
He went on to say that the film may look like a million dollar production, but that is not the reality. Using creative techniques and having a resourceful crew at his side, they were able to produce something off a very limited budget. Something every independent filmmaker attempts to do these days.
That led us to discussing how an indie filmmaker can breakthrough. I asked him to reflect on the time when he was trying to break into the business and what he had to do. Ironically (and probably frustrating for some aspiring actors to read), it was by accident…
“I got started by accident when I was 11. A teacher in school saw an ad in the paper and took me in after school and I booked the lead in this feature after many, many callbacks. It was going to be Sissy Spacek as the mother. I cried in front of the producers and directors and they gave me the part.”
After that break, he worked in film until he was 14. From there he left to study classical theater and when he was 24, he started acting in films again. He credits 1996’s SubUrbia to placing him on the proverbial map.
Ajay transitioned from that point, to how a film can attain distribution in this modern day model. He used the example on how by having your film in Sundance or any of the other major festivals, “Is no longer a guarantee that you will distribute your film” as once thought a few years ago. “The market has changed so much.” With that said, he stated the following on how to breakthrough with regards to acting and/or selling your film…
“I don’t think there is one way to do anything. You have to first tell the story no matter what, and then figure what way it (the presentation) is going to come out.”
So I couldn’t wait any longer to tackle the Office Space stigma. Real simple, does it bother him that his career may be summed by simply being the, “guy from that cult-classic? My opinion that I conveyed to Ajay before he answered was, “Who cares?” And he agreed.
“That kind of perspective is put on from the outside (media, fans). I never felt that way. None of my favorite actors have been relegated to one thing. The only times I’ve really been noticed is when I’m playing serious roles. Office Space just happened to be a really funny movie, but I was playing serious. The movie that I got really noticed for, SubUrbia, I played a character that got beat up as a result of racial violence. People choose to laugh or not laugh when they feel like it. The ‘Samir’ character is iconic because, everyone in the movie, Office Space, is iconic. But I couldn’t have picked a character further away from who I am, you know. So I’m glad I even had one hit along the way, so that I can actually make other things and have people have a context for who I am. I’m grateful for that.”
Since there is big movement to get film back in Florida, in trying to create a Hollywood East scenario, who better to ask the plausibility of such a notion than someone who’s seen the industry transition multiple times…
“I grew up in the business, so I’ve watched lots of cities have lots of different traditions toward making films. I grew up in Chicago, which had a huge film renaissance during the John Hughes’ era in the ’80s. The two biggest films I ever made were in Austin, which has a huge film renaissance. Some people have shot a several different things up in Vancouver. People are usually traveling around the country for certain tax breaks. Which is why films take off in certain places. And they’re looking for middle-America which continues to be elusive. They’re looking for neutral ground and the ability to shoot long hours. Which is why everyone went to Los Angeles to begin with.” As a result, Hollywood, here we are.”
Having said all that…
“I think its completely plausible to have Tampa and/or Florida be a Hollywood East. But Austin, TX has a jump on that right now. I think where people want to shoot changes all the time by virtues of tax breaks.”
Here that Florida politicians…Tax breaks! But I digress.
Now I had to indulge myself one more time and ask about the HBO hit Bored to Death. Ajay’s character was introduced last season and made an instant splash with fans. His character interacted a lot with leads Jason Schwartzman and Ted Danson, which added another layer of comedy to explore within the series. Prior to us “going on the record” Ajay told me that being on that set never felt like work (nothing is off the record haha). The first time he ever felt that way on any project that he’s done in his extensive career.
That’s great to hear, but can you tell me what is going to happen in season 3?
“I don’t know anything about what they do, they never tell anyone anything with that. Jonathan Ames is a prolific writer and he rarely shares. There is no promises that I’ll even be there. I do know that it will be fun regardless of what happens cause it’s a brilliant show and Jonathan’s a brilliant writer.”
In getting back to business and the reason why he showed up in Tampa, Ajay gave his final thoughts on what the India International Film Festival means to him…
“There is at least some really important thought being put in to what to play in the decentralized South Asian community in America. I grew up in that world, that’s where I’m from. So I’m honored and happy to have a home for my work. I made the film for these people.”
From there, we went in to watch Ashes. Knowing that this flick was based on a personal experience Ajay had, all I have to say is the guy has courage in putting that out for people to see.
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