Bollywood Biz : Corporate Manager,now Filmmaker!

Karthik Subbaraj gave up a high-paying corporate job to become a filmmaker, and against all odds, succeeded

Everyone dreams of pursuing their dream career, but not many have the courage to risk everything by giving up their comfortable jobs in order to follow up on their dream. Karthik Subbaraj is an exception. He gave up a high-paying corporate job to become a filmmaker, and against all odds, succeeded. Now, he is venturing into another unknown territory with his new StartUp Stone Bench Creations . Corporate Citizen brings you the inspirational story of this young engineer turned filmmaker-turned CEO, straight from the horse’s mouth.

ON HIS CORPORATE JOB

I studied Mechatronics at Thiagarajar College of Engineering. I was placed with a soft ware company in Bengulur, where I was earning well. However, I wasn’t passionate about it. Since my college days, I was interesting in filmmaking. I used to direct and perform skits, which were well received by my peers. Although I was interested in filmmaking, I wasn’t in a position to quit my job and follow my passion.

Around this time, I heard about a one day filmmaking workshop in Bengulur, by Sanjay Nambiar, a popular filmmaker in the South. This is where I was introduced to the nuances of scripting, directing, editing and all the bells and whistles that go with the craft . After this, I used to make a lot of short films on the street, in my house, casting my friends and family. These self-projects helped me understand the technicalities of making a film.

ON HIS LEARNING PROCESS

Around this time, I was sent to the US for a couple of years by my company. It was there that I met a lot of independent filmmakers who I worked with to make more short films. I learnt about the American style of filmmaking and the use of VFX in movies, which would play a big role later in my career

Earlier, whatever money I made in my software job, I invested in short films, but I never got one rupee back, as short films very rarely reach the audience That’s when I thought of starting a company that distributed short films, and monetised the process

ON GETTING HIS BIG BREAK

When I got back, a few of my friends told me about a new Tamil show called Naalaya Iyakunar, which is a Tamil reality show where they identify potential directors from the many contestants. The show is judged by popular directors in Tamil Cinema. I sent a short film of mine for the preliminary selection, and then forgot about it. Fortunately or unfortunately, I was very good at my soft ware job, and was sent to France for a long term project for two years. Soon after I landed there, I received a call from the Naalaya Iyakunar team informing me that my film had been selected.

I now had a choice to make. Do I stick to my plush well-paid job, or risk everything and quit? I chose the latter. I made up an excuse about a family illness, and told my boss that I had to return to India. I requested them to transfer me back to Bengulur, which they refused. I then tended my resignation. The company insisted that I had to serve a two-month notice period in France, which I refused to do. I went out for lunch and when I came back, they threw me out of the office. I had to call my friends at work and request them to get my belongings from my cubicle, as I wasn’t allowed back in.

I had put everything on line for this break. If it failed, it would have been for nothing. Fortunately, I was declared the winner of the show that season and there has been no looking back.

Earlier, whatever money I made in my software job, I invested in short films, but I never got even one back, as short films very rarely reach the audience. That’s when I thought of starting a company that distributed short films, and monetised the process

ON HIS MOVIES

My first commercial movie was Pizza (2012), which was a low-budget thriller made in Tamil, which became a runaway success. It was remade in Hindi, and the remake too was very successful. My next film was Jigarthana (2014), starring Siddharth. That film was again a super hit, completing 50 days at the box office. It also earned two National awards, for Best Editing and best Supporting Actor. My upcoming projects are Iraivi and Sasi, which are currently in various stages of completion.

ON STONE BENCH CREATIONS

When was in school, I used to see a stone bench in the yard. I always thought that if I ever started a business, I would name it Stone Bench. I love making short films. Earlier, whatever money I made in my soft ware job, I invested in short films, but I never got one rupee back, as short films very rarely reach the audience. That’s when I thought of starting a company that distributed short films, and monetised the process. We needed to bring technology as well as corporate expertise in the process. I am lucky to have gotten a good team who is very creative and dedicated. We have managed to expand to other solutions too. We have launched two products Benchflix which distributes short films, and Bench Cast which makes the casting process for movies very streamlined for both acting aspirants and filmmakers. We are also into celebrity management and ad film making. The idea is create a technology and people infrastructure to help the film industry. Currently we are very active in the Tamil Film industry, and we plan to expand on the national level with time

ON ADVICE TO YOUNGSTERS

Believe in yourself and follow your dream!

By Neeraj Varty