Getting to know Indranil Banerjee

Hailing from Kolkata, Indranil Banerjee is an Indian writer and filmmaker. The young director is a New York Film Academy (NYFA) alumni. He has directed around seven short films and three TV series, earning praise internationally.

His notable works include India's first horror mini-series, "4 Shades of Leap", based on four spine-chilling real events. He also directed the country's first silent mini-series (with no audible dialogue), titled "A Sinful Story", which is also based on a true event. His sitcom "Paanchphoron's" is a laugh riot, drawing inspiration from daily events in Bengali culture which has been presented as situational comedy.

Talking about his journey as a filmmaker, Banerjee shared he has always been captivated by movies, and that very fascination fuelled his passion for pursuing this career. Initially, he ventured into photography, then progressed to learn more about film and camera. "I began to go through the filmography of some of the world's best filmmakers. I learned storytelling through the visual lens of Quentin Tarantino, and brought my characters to life following the footsteps of Satyajit Ray," he said.

Banerjee recently got selected as a programmer at the prestigious 44th Durban International Film Festival in South Africa. Earlier, he served as a jury member for several international film festivals, including the Vienna International Film Awards in Austria, which the artiste marked as a rewarding experience.

His body of work includes several telefilms and more than 50 ad films. In terms of genres, the director loves working on thrillers and comedies, just as much as he enjoys experimenting with different styles. As for his upcoming work, he has completed the final draft of his full-length feature film.

His award-winning short film, "Ujjhyo - The Unsaid", is currently streaming on Apple TV. Produced by Maitrayee De, the production received critical acclaims after being showcased at more than 30 international film festivals. It also won around 25 awards, including the Best Director Award at the Istanbul Film Awards, the Best Producer Award at the Harappa International Film Awards and the Best Actor Award at the Banos de Agua Santa International Film Festival. The story of "Ujjhyo - The Unsaid" revolves around a harsh reality of a father-son relationship, and uses the conversations between the characters to portray the complexities of family conflicts in our modern society.

Banerjee's works have transcended borders through his international awards and expanding audiences across many countries. "I have been very close to Bangladesh, as my first short film received recognition in Rangpur. It was an honour receiving an award for my work from the eminent director Morshedul Islam," he recalled.

The director's horror mini-series, "4 Shades of Leap", is available on Amazon Prime, while another two of his productions are streaming on Bongo BD.