Today we’d like to introduce you to Gagan Preet Kaur Virdi.
Hi Gagan Preet Kaur, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey starts with these words “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping. It is something that does not let you sleep. ” My name is Gagan Preet Kaur Virdi and I hail from Mailani, a small town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. After completing my engineering degree in 2010, I worked at a software company for a short period of time. However, my true passion was laid in film industry, so I decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in law to gain a deeper understanding of the legal aspects of the industry and completed in 2016. And during the degree, I joined as an intern to a very well-acknowledged attorney who had a very good experience in theater and film industry.
In 2015, I established my own production company in India, but my lack of experience and knowledge initially prevented me from producing quality films. I could not succeed in this. Fortunately, I met a wonderful man at the same time now-husband, who is an attorney of the Indian Supreme Court and a producer in the Indian film industry. Under his guidance and mentorship, I learned a lot about filmmaking and related laws. I was able to establish a new production company called Trikaal Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with him in 2020.
In 2021, though it was a pandemic period, I produced a feature film called “Ajay Azad,” which performed very well in the Indian market and generated nearly triple the production cost in revenue. This success was a turning point for me, as it gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of becoming a successful producer.
In 2021, I decided to come to the United States to learn more about producing and gain
exposure to the global film industry. I pursue MFA in film producing since then I have produced 10 films and am continuously learning and evolving as a film producer. I am grateful to my teachers and guides who helped me in this and of course, all those who helped me gave me this opportunity. I am exhilarated to see my passion for producing will take me next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India, life was not easy for me. I had to work hard to achieve my goals, and every decision I took in my life had to be met with obstacles and challenges. However, I was determined to succeed and create opportunities for other girls in my city. Despite facing adversities, I pursued my dream of film producing and I struggled to produce quality films at first. This motivated me to travel to the United States for further education and gain more experience in the industry.
Unfortunately, my journey was not without sacrifices. When I arrived in the US in 2021, the world was still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a mother, I had to make the difficult decision to leave my four-year-old daughter in India, as I could not risk her health by bringing her with me to the US. So I came alone. It was a challenging and emotional time for both of us, me and my husband, but we knew it was necessary for her safety.
I have no previous experience with US society. There were a lot of things which were required to live and sustain in the US. No friends, no family, no relatives. Initially, I felt difficulty in communication and in food also. Finally, I overcame all this.
Despite these obstacles, I remained committed to my passion for film producing and my desire to create opportunities for others. I have been working hard with full dedication, I hope that my journey may inspire others to pursue their dreams and overcome the challenges.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have produced a successful feature film in India, and two more feature films are currently in pre-production. I am particularly proud of “Ajay Azad,” which performed well in the Indian market and generated nearly triple the production cost. The film is available on YouTube and has garnered over three million views.
In the United States, I am focused on submitting my films to various film festivals and exploring distribution options. If I had to choose my best productions to date, I would highlight “Mistake,” “Galaxy Book,” “Jasmine Flowers,” and “House Call.” Right now I am working on an animation feature film named “Frederick’s Long Tale”. I am a versatile producer, skilled in various roles including executive producer, line producer, and production coordinator. In my work, I am responsible for managing locations, scouting and securing locations, and considering logistics during pre-production, casting, hiring, and auditioning. I oversee the production process from start to finish, including post-production.
On my film sets, I try to maintain everything runs on time and my work is highly detail-oriented. Punctuality is the key to make sure that everything is completed within the specified timeframe, and I ensure that everyone on set must be aware of the schedule and adhere to it. Besides, I pay attention to the smallest details to ensure that everything is perfect and runs smoothly. This meticulousness helps us to ensure that the final product is of the highest quality and exceeds the expectations of the audience. My true production cost of the movie does not exceed the budget.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
That’s a pretty difficult question… lol… because I love seeing my daughter’s face every day. But if this question is related to my profession, then what makes me happy is the opportunity to use my talents and skills to bring stories to life on the big screen and to have a positive impact on the lives of those around me. It is thrilling when people talk about me in my absence and greet me saying “So you are Gagan!!” with a smile when they meet.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virdi_preet14/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preet.virdi1?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagan-preet-kaur-virdi-b69248241/
Image Credits
image credits @kush Patel, @siddarthdixit, @adityagupta, @yukiko
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