For Shashant Shah, preparation and spontaneity are not opposites. In his conversation with Famous TV on Confessions, the director explains why rehearsing and knowing the lines can make experimentation more useful—not less possible.
His view starts with a qualification: there is no single valid way to make cinema. Some filmmakers storyboard extensively; others rely on intuition or discover something on set. Shah places himself firmly among those who prefer substantial homework. He presents that as his own working method, rather than a rule every artist must follow.
Get the basics ready first
When the conversation turns to actors, Shah connects preparation to the freedom to try something different. Rehearsals and familiarity with the dialogue give a performer a foundation. Once that foundation is secure, there is more room to experiment and improve a scene.
The distinction matters. His argument is not against improvisation. It is against treating improvisation as a substitute for knowing the material. For an actor approaching a scene, his advice puts the order of work in focus: learn what is there before exploring what else it might become.
Earn the audience's time
That emphasis on care also shapes Shah's view of viewers. He describes an audience with access to international, national and regional work, alongside a constant stream of entertainment and information. Their viewing experience is broad, and their available time is limited.
Getting someone to watch is therefore not something a storyteller can take for granted. Shah argues for greater effort, fresh approaches and narratives that connect with people. The challenge is not simply to put another story on a screen, but to give a busy viewer a reason to stay with it.
Show what you can make
For newcomers, Shah also points towards practical demonstrations of ability. An aspiring director can shoot a short film. A sound designer can create something that shows their sound work; an editor can show an edit.
Alongside his comments on rehearsal, this offers a concrete picture of craft: prepare thoroughly, make something that demonstrates your strengths, and think carefully about the person who will watch it. In Shah's account, creative freedom is supported by work that happens before the finished performance reaches an audience.
Watch the full conversation on Famous TV’s YouTube channel.