'Financially wrecked' 'Joram' director struggles to pay rent
What's the story
Devashish Makhija, the acclaimed director of Manoj Bajpayee-starrer Joram, recently opened up about his financial struggles in the film industry.
Despite having over two decades of experience and four feature films under his belt, Makhija revealed that he grapples with financial insecurities every day.
His candid revelations came during an interview on the Long Live Cinema YouTube channel.
Career challenges
Makhija's financial struggles persist despite directing four feature films
Makhija shared that it took him 14 years to release his first feature film.
He said, "Even today, when I call an actor or someone to meet me, they say, 'Where's your office?' and I say, 'I don't have an office, so you tell me where you are, or we'll meet in a coffee shop, and I'll tell you which coffee shop because I can't afford most of the coffee shops in Versova'. I'm still in that place."
Uncertain future
'Don't know if I'll be able to pay my cook'
Makhija admitted Joram left him "financially wrecked."
He continued, "I don't know if I'll be able to pay my cook next month to eat her food, all these things are playing on my mind."
"My insecurities are tangible, and they've piled up to the point that the repercussions will be felt tomorrow, not two years from now. I need to keep working because I don't know where the next cheque's coming from."
Work
Despite financial struggles, Makhija continues to create art
He also shared that when he is misrepresented or his struggles are romanticized, it affects him deeply.
"Art is the most luxurious thing you can put your money in because you don't know if you're going to get your money back. Even at night, I'm wondering if I may not have money to pay rent."
"I'm working on eight stories simultaneously because I don't know which one will be greenlit."
Apart from Joram, he is known for Bhonsle and Ajji.