“If you don’t take risks, then the chances of success also go down,” says director-writer Karan Gulianii. He adds that one should make sure to do whatever one wants to in life, even if it is risky. “Risk is the biggest friend of creativity, and coming from a Punjabi lineage, we’re known for taking risks. I’ve taken risks all my life and will continue to do so. It’s a matter of winning or losing, but at least I won’t live a life I don’t want to. I believe we have only one life, so we should do what we truly want to do, even if it involves taking risks.”
He continues, “If a creative person starts being too calculative, they won’t be able to create anything meaningful. We take small risks all the time when we are creating a film, pitching its story to a producer, and then making the film is a big risk in itself. The producer’s money and everyone’s careers are on the line because there’s no formula for success. Even walking on the street is a risk; you never know what might happen. So, risk is just another name for life,” he says.
Talking about overthinking and self-doubt, he adds that these need to be handled gracefully. “I believe overthinking and multitasking are two different things. Overthinking, especially in storytelling, can delay the process, but it can also lead to new ideas. You need to have a positive mindset and a strong conviction to tell a story. Multitasking, on the other hand, is about managing multiple roles. As a director and writer, I wear both hats and work towards one goal. Whether I’m creating music, developing a story, or working with my assistants on storyboards, it’s all part of achieving that goal. So, multitasking doesn’t affect my decisions because my goal is clear.”
“I feel self-doubt is natural, but if your goal is clear, it doesn’t hold you back. I handle self-doubt by staying positive, meditating, and running. These activities help clear my mind and keep me focused. It works for me, and I’m sure it helps others too,” he adds.
