A talented filmmaker and editor, Pratik has made significant strides in the industry over the past three to four years. His success in creating notable short films like ‘Menopause’ and ‘We Are Not We’ is a testament to his perseverance.

Pratik Shah, a Filmmaker and Editor from Ahmedabad, has been active in the field of filmmaking for about three to four years.

Pratik says that his interest in filmmaking grew when he watched the movie ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ with his friends. Impulsively, he expressed his ability to create a similar film, which led to his friends making fun of him. After this incident, he purchased a camera and lens, and started learning from YouTube videos. He attributes his knowledge and skills in filmmaking to YouTube. Eventually, he created a short film.

Describing his journey, he shares that he has been a junior filmmaker, consistently learning and gaining experience. He acknowledges the substantial challenges in this field, particularly the struggle to establish oneself.

One of the challenges Pratik faced was convincing his parents about pursuing a career in filmmaking. They were concerned about his financial stability. To address this, Pratik also undertakes additional work to support his family alongside his passion. In the beginning, he submitted his films to various short film festivals, which helped him gain recognition and meet like-minded individuals. Through collaborations, a small community gradually formed, aiding his growth.

According to Pratik, the experience so far has been tough, particularly in terms of financial recovery. He explains that although he possesses the necessary equipment for filmmaking such as cameras, sound systems, lenses, and editing setups, lack of funding hinders the actualization of projects. This highlights the importance of financial resources in filmmaking.

When it comes to mistakes, Pratik emphasizes that he has always viewed them as learning opportunities.

Regarding his childhood, Pratik says he hails from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and comes from a lower-middle-class background. He now considers himself part of the middle class. He mentions that he was good at studies.

For Pratik, achieving his dream of becoming a filmmaker as a middle-class individual is a significant accomplishment.

Among the short films Pratik has created, he mentions two notable works: ‘Menopause’, available on Amazon Prime, and ‘We Are Not We’, accessible on YouTube.

Pratik's father serves as his role model in life, while Sanjay Leela Bhansali inspires him in the realm of filmmaking.

When it comes to managing stress, Pratik considers stress and rejection as normal aspects of a filmmaker's life.

Pratik’s life mantra revolves around continuous work and learning.

During his free time, Pratik enjoys watching movies, keeping up with trending news, and spending time on his phone. He also finds great pleasure in driving.

Pratik recalls that his short film ‘Menopause’ was nominated among the top five films at Delhi College of Photography.

To aspiring individuals in the field, Pratik suggests learning and persevering. He encourages them to utilize available resources, write and shoot films, and remain committed to continuous learning.