When I Decided That Films Had To Be The Next Step, I Knew Screenwriting Would Be My Key To Getting Through The Door

Latest work in RUNWAY 34 & DRISHYAM 2…

Aamil Keeyan Khan is a well-known screenwriter at Ajay Devgn films and Panorama Studios. Not only this, he is also a Lyricist, Composer, and actor. Times Magazine India had an interview with the creative personality and during the communication, several things were questioned?

It was asked how he began his journey as a screenwriter.

Replying to the question the screenwriter elaborates about his journey he said while studying in St. Xavier's, Calcutta, I developed a knack for acting and mimicking people in school. The joy of being on stage and instantly connecting with the audience gives you a different high. So, when I got into college, I decided to form my theatre group called Nine Point Blank with a friend but theatre is all passion and no money. 

To add to the fun, my dad lost his job and things got difficult for us financially. So, I would work double shifts, attend college, and then my theatre rehearsals. On weekends, I would even do gigs where I had to host kid's birthday parties, sometimes dressed as a clown or Mickey Mouse, all so that I could have enough money to support my family and keep the theatre group alive. However, during our very first production (in which I was acting, designing the posters, sourcing other talents, and selling tickets), I realized that it's not enough to have an existing play, we need to adapt it to our sensibilities.

There were days when I didn't even have the money to travel to the rehearsals at my friend's place, where would we pay the writers from? So, I gave it a shot, it was a decision not out of choice but out of need. The play went wrong...no one turned up to watch it but of all the few people that did, everyone praised the writing and the dialogues. I felt maybe I could be good at this if I kept at it. Later, when I decided that films had to be the next step, I knew screenwriting would be my key to getting through the door.

I struggled for 3 years in Kolkata and then one day, wondered that if I had to play the hard game, why not play it for bigger stakes? I promised myself that the first gig I get, I will use that money and shift to Mumbai. Would you believe it that the very next day I landed a gig, I felt the universe was at play, designing a path for me. I shifted to Mumbai and did a few gigs as an editor while writing scripts on the side. I had no contacts initially, it took me 6 years to develop them but then, A chance meeting with Sandeep Kewlani (Co- producer) and Tarlok Singh (who was the executive producer on Raid and knew Ajay sir) changed it all. 

Knowing about the works of Amil Keeyan Khan, List of movies for which you have worked?

This year, I'll most probably have two releases as a screenwriter. The first one, Runway 34 is already out and the second one, Drishyam 2 is releasing on 18th November which by chance, also happens to be my birthday. 

Since it's a sequel to an iconic film, I am aware that the expectations will be sky high and I'm hoping the film delivers. Personally, I am most excited about Drishyam 2. 2023 will have Bholaa, which is a Hindi remake of Kaithi. There are 3 other massive projects and 2 original scripts which I'm contractually bound to not disclose at this moment until the official announcement comes.

The journey is not that smooth, but the spirit would always be high, coming to how's the feeling when it comes to screenwriting? 

Like Robert De Niro had once said, “The mind of a writer can be a truly terrifying thing. Isolated, neurotic, caffeine-addled, crippled by procrastination, consumed by feelings of panic, self-loathing, and soul-crushing inadequacy. And that’s on a good day.” I think that pretty much sums it up.

There is some of the other level of uniqueness, knowing what makes you different with writing skills? 

To borrow from Sahir Ludhianvi, Le de ke apne paas fakat ek nazar toh hai, kyun dekhe zindagi ko kisi ki nazar se hum? The same story can be told in 1000 different ways but what makes it different is your voice, which like your fingerprint is unique and unlike any other voice if you would only have the courage to be true to yourself. It's the same with a chef. You could have the exact same recipe and ask 5 different chefs to make it with the same ingredients and yet each one of those meals will taste different.

Knowing about the upcoming plans?

One day at a time. To get through the day as best as I can, make people smile, and be as productive as I can. I like to match my steps with the heartbeat of nature. It's calm, not in a rush, and yet it gets everything done. 

Was writing your passion?

One of my many passions, yes. Besides writing, I love acting, directing, making my own music, and writing my songs, on some days I sing, and on some days, I am dancing to the tunes of others. 

How the feeling of being a screenwriter is, how's the response when it comes to superhit movies and the limelight?

Runway 34 only got its due when it was premiered on OTT and the response has been phenomenal. As for the limelight, it feels fan****tastic. If God's listening, then I hope this limelight grows each day with time and stays till the end but I'm also aware of how transitory everything is. 

In the last 2 years, I've had the good fortune of working with some of my favorite actors and stars. I've watched CarryMinati be hounded by fans for a selfie, I've watched Tabu deal with her fans with so much grace, I've watched Mr. Bachchan be surrounded by his mad army of admirers, and then I've been lucky to work with Ajay (Devgn) sir since the last 2 years, the man has been like a mentor to me. Bholaa is my third film with him and I've been blessed enough to observe him and how he goes about his day. Of all his super traits, a few that I pray to most definitely imbibe from him are his calmness, patience and humility, and the absolute class with which he deals with all that limelight.

So, when you ask me about the limelight, you're asking a man with a torch what it feels like to shine while he stands next to the sun. It feels humbling and gratifying.

We all know that it isn't that easy and smooth what we see in movies, know more in-depth about how you create it? How do you manage things with all positivity?

Like I said, brick by brick, one day at a time. Like Neil Gaiman had once said, it's you vs a blank piece of paper and on most days, the paper wins... Some days, the water flows from the tap, some days it's all dry. The best ideas come to you when you're not looking for them. So that's what I do. 

Of course with writing, like any form of art there are rules you stick by and rules you break. Sometimes you find a story, sometimes a story finds you. Only when I have an idea that excites me will I build a story around it, I usually jot down the plot points before I begin to put words to paper. You must have a beginning, middle, and end. It must have conflict. Find a character or make one, but you must know your protagonist is. Your protagonist must have a voice and desire. 

The more difficult you make it for your protagonist to get his desire, the more beautiful and interesting your story will be. Sometimes, you let your characters make their own choices in the story and that lets you understand them better. So, once you've gotten to the end, you go back to the beginning and that's where the magic happens. Writing is 5% writing and 95% rewriting.

Knowing about how long it takes for the screenwriter to write a script?

I'll tell you the shortest. 4 days. Of course, there were rewrites but in 4 days I had a draft in hand. The longest duration? Well, it's been 4 years and I'm still working on that story.

Not only this, but Aamil Keeyan Khan is also an actor, composer, and lyricist. Knowing more about it! 

As an actor, you will see me a whole lot more active in 2023... But I'd rather wait till those performances are out and maybe we'll do another interview where you can tell me what you thought of them. Regarding the other two... during my struggling days, which I like to call, my days of self-exploration, I would have a lot of free time in hand and found that a song would come to me... who am I to block it? So, I would record it and keep it aside.

I believe all the work you do, is just nature or God expressing himself through you. You're just a tap and all you have to do is let the water flow, but that water isn't yours... it's coming from someplace divine. 

Also, I'm a fan of Kishore Kumar, Charlie Chaplin, Clint Eastwood, Ajay Devgn, and Vishal Bhardwaj. Guess what all those guys have in common?

Lastly, what motivates you to go more with the flow in terms of work! 

The fact that our time here on earth is limited and that there were days when I prayed for this to happen. There are people that are praying right now for the things I have today, including the work. All I can do is turn up, pray and give it my best.

TIMES MAGAZINE INDIA AND THE TEAM WISHES YOU GOODLUCK!