An editor refused to teach me: Susant Mani

When an editor refused to teach Susant Mani, the director decided to learn film editing by himself and also teach others so that they never face any refusal...
When I was just started direction, I felt that it would be of real help if a director knows the basics of editing. So I approached a well-known editor and asked him to teach me. But he refused! His refusal made me determined to learn editing by hook or crook.Ultimately, I learnt it from Odia director-cum-editor Gadadhar Putty. Now, I make it a point to teach editing to as many people as possible so that they don’t have to face any rejection like I had. Many of my students are reputed editors in and outside the Odia film industry. Their achievements give me an enormous sense of pride.
Whenever I look at this still from the sets of my film, Chocolate, it makes me realise how this was a turning point in my life. When I had completed the script, there were no takers. So I decided to postpone the shooting schedule. But the lead actors, Archita and Babusan, loved the script so much that they insisted that I complete the shooting and even offered to work for free! But ultimately, I got a producer. The film was well-received by the audience and bagged many awards. It was the first movie where I introduced digital filmmaking that lessened the budget by 20 lakh. So, this film is very dear to me.
I see my wife, Divyaprabha, as my true companion. Ours was an arranged marriage. When my mother and I went to meet her before marriage, she came and offered tea to us. Then she sat opposite me and kept on staring at me for close to 20 minutes. It was extremely awkward. Later, when I asked her the reason behind it, she smartly replied that her parents had instructed her to properly see the guy she marrying so that she later had no regrets!
My mother is my source of energy. So, my day starts with her. Over cups of tea, we talk about everything under the sun, especially the problems I face in my life. She listens to my ramblings with patience and suggests how to tackle the difficulties I face. Our daily morning ritual reminds me of my childhood days. I was an extremely naughty kid and mummy would often thrash me. But I am what I am because she disciplined me!
Apart from being a director, I’m also an avid reader and writer as well. During my leisure hours, I usually go to some isolated places in Deras, Khandagiri or Pancha Gaon. These are the places where I can completely relax. Sometimes it’s very important to just switch off from everything in the professional world and just be with myself. That’s when books are my best companion. I take some of my favourite novels along with me to read during my sojourn in the wilderness. Otherwise, I write stories or concentrate on my scripts. Many of my film’s scripts were written during my rendezvous with nature. The scripts of Chocolate and Luchakaliwere written during such trips.
I have a weakness for music and regret that I haven’t learnt it when there was time. So, I have decided to teach my son, Samarpit, to appreciate music. Though he is just a year old, I think he has an good voice. I have given me a toy called jaltarang. I wish he falls in love with music while playing with the instrument. When he grows up, I’ll arrange music lessons for him. I am a director, and if my son turns up to be a musician, it will be a dream come true for me.
Compiled by Jyoti Prakash Naik