Jackky Bhagnani on turning a producer: I am enjoying the process of filmmaking

Actor Jackky Bhagnani - who made his debut as a hero in 2009 with the Vivek Sharma-directed film Kal Kissne Dekha, and then went on to act in films like F.A.L.T.U, Rangrezz, Youngistaan and Welcome 2 Karachi - is now enjoying his stint as a producer. 

Counted among the entertainment industry’s notable producers, Jackky was recently described by a magazine as “the dark horse of the emerging new order in the industry”. This year, he is coming up with three films as a producer - Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Ganapath and Capsule Gill - under his banner, Pooja Entertainment. There is no doubt that Jackky is on the path to fulfil his vision of catering to the masses as a whole, and is constantly on a hunt for captivating content that can be served to the large audiences.  

In a recent interview, when he was asked about why he wanted to make the shift from acting to production, and in retrospect how he felt about the decision, Jackky said, “I don’t think ‘shift’ is the right word here. It’s more like adding another feather to the cap. That does not mean I have taken a sabbatical from acting. But I just felt that as a filmmaker, I can offer so much more. And I can be a part of the entire process of storytelling, not just as an actor but also as a filmmaker and tell many many more stories, empower many more people, and give many more people opportunities which just felt like a more overall enriching experience.” 

So, did his experience as an actor help him as a producer? “It definitely helps a great deal. It empowers me with sensitivity towards creativity and though it is business and I have to wear the business hat, at the same time we are selling a form of art, so I think the marriage of creativity meeting commerce really helps,” he elaborated.

When asked about how hands-on he is as a producer, Jackky said, “I would like to believe that I am pretty hands-on, or I’m learning a new aspect every day and that’s the beauty of filmmaking. Every day you come, you learn a new aspect, either from the creative side, the production side, or the marketing or sales team. Or even from the on-ground production, the challenges that the production team goes through, or the creative team goes through to bring that piece of script live on celluloid and create that magic.”

Previously, Jackky has supported films like Sarbjit, Dil Juunglee, Welcome to New York, Jawaani Jaaneman, Coolie No. 1, Bell Bottom, and most recently Cuttputlli.