Brought up in Mandu, a hill station in MP. Madhya Pradesh that is now Mandavgarh, during his early school days Alok Jain, was selected by his primary teacher to do certain role and he refused it as he wanted to do the lead role. The teacher threw him out of the school play.
Cut to 1982-83 where he was fascinated with television, which was the only access to us for media during that period. On Saturdays in particular, there was a segment for regional cinema when Malayalam, Gujarati cinemas were telecast, and he never used to miss them.
This teenager couldn’t understand the language, but understood the medium of cinema. During higher secondary school days his father took him to watch the shooting of Rajkumar Kohli’s Jeene Nahin Doonga which was being shot at Jahaj Mahal in Mandu. So fascinated he was, with the actors like Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha and Raj Gupta. Watching Rajkumar Kohli directing these stars, Alok made up his mind to become a film director one day, and then that day came where he made his first feature film ‘Sakaal Tar Hou Dya’ a Marathi film featuring Subodh Bhave and Manasi Naik.
Devastated by betrayal, Abhay plans suicide under stars until an unknown woman’s laughter breaks through his despair. That is the one line story of Sakaal Tar Hou Dya which was released on 10th of October 2025 that drew critical appreciation and faired decently moderate at the Box Office.
Director Alok Jain speaks with Paresh B. Mehta in an exclusive interview for Filmytown.com –
Let’s begin how you decided to become a director.
As my father had to keep shifting for his professional life, I was admitted to Gurukul, a Jain boarding school where they teach you about all those Indian cultures and sanskars, along with modern education.
In college I got to explore myself and did my first play as an actor for the College’s annual function, which made me a favourite boy in the campus. So, that was my journey beginning with being an actor and then I started with directing that play with acting and direction.
So, what made you think direction is better than acting? Is it the vision what you had in mind?
I remember my childhood days when my grand mother used to tell me stories, which I used to visualize. Anything what I used to hear, I used to see. And when I grew up, came to my high school, there I realized that there is a director in me.
Ritambhara College in Juhu where I pursued commerce for three years. And same time I got chance to be a clapper boy and assistant to Manoj Kumar who was directing his film Jai Hind – The Pride. I am highly influenced by actor-director Manoj Kumar
And which other directors influenced you?
I have been highly influenced by the greats V Shantaram, Dadasaheb Phalke, Satyajit Ray. Hrithwik Ghatak and among the present generation of directors I like Rajkumar Hirani’s work and hugely fascinated with vision and canvas of Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Can you speak a bit about your debut mainstream feature film Sakaal Tar Hou Dya?
It is based on big canvas and a mid-budget film. Sakaal Tar Hou Dya is about a person – Abhay, who is fed up with life. He tries to commit suicide. He then isolates himself for a year, and during each day of his isolation, he learns something. And finally he decides that there is only one experiment left.
That is experiencing death. So, he goes to a secluded place where he sets up a pyre for himself. And when he is about to pull the trigger, Niyati a female character comes who distracts him. She is an escort interested only in money, which he spends… juts as a matter of curiosity to know more about her. This develops into a beautiful love story which is followed by twist and turns.
That is a different subject, how close is the story or the character to you in personal life?
The character of the person wanting to end his life is somewhat similar to several moments in my life where I felt that I should give up. Abhay and Niyati are there in everyone around us. Abhay is an escapist who wants to run away from problems of life, while Niyati is the one who faces the challenges. No matter what the situation is. She will face with a smile on her face.
We don’t realise that happiness is the mask which every person adorns. What lies underneath the mask has the deeper significance.
Prior to this, what have you done in audio-visual medium, and hear that you also were into short films. Am I Right?
My first short film was Koni Aekta Ka? (Is there anyone listening?) that was based on 26/11. The second one was Muniya Ki Duniya. Muniya Ki Duniya which is about a construction worker’s child who gets fascinated towards education.
I have done numerous ad films and documentaries prior to my feature film debut. I still continue to do ad films.
What are your upcoming projects? Anything you have in mind about feature films?
There are several stories going around in my mind since last 30 years I have developed lots of stories. Which I want to share to the world. But until Saraswati doesn’t get Lakshmi’s support, it is not possible. So, I am waiting which projects get greenlighted first.
How many stories have you got in your mind?
I have about 8-9 stories in my mind. Right now I have chosen just 4 of them. One is a comedy story, the second one is a teenage love story and the third one is a teenage drama. The fourth story in mind is a is Political Satire.
That means that none of these films are the continuation of the abstract theme which you took up in ‘Sakaal Tar Hou Dya’? Was it because it was not a commercial hit?
(He crackles) No, no, sir. My answer is completely different. It is because I don’t want to repeat myself. I want to explore some new genres. Let us be honest.
By the way, though Sakal tar Hou Diya has ended it’s Box Office run, we still have the OTT market now. Once that is cleared, we will get good profit. It will be way above the break-even point. I am proud of this film and not only me, my producers and my actors too.
Just for the information for your Filmytown.com readers, we have finished this film in eight months’ time. So, 9th Feb, we took the first shot in 2025 itself. And 10th October, we released the film.
Okay, then what is taking time for you to announce your next film?
I feel that unless and until the script is right, you can’t go and shoot. So, script takes time. And the problem with the modern filmmaking style, they don’t give time for script writing. Because I need time. I need time to spend with the subject. I need to see it again and again from different angles before I shoot.
After making Sakaal tar Hou Dya, I did a bit of a survey about what audience wants to see. And 60 % people voted for comedy. I am working on the script now. After that I am working on an intense love story that will surprise my audience with family entertainer.
What is it like being an independent filmmaker?
I feel that indie filmmakers struggle a lot to survive in the Indian cinema right now, though this breed is growing now. As for me, I feel that whichever story needs to be told, it will find the right financier, right investor, and right publisher.
According to you what is a director? Is he a painter? A storyteller?
A director is a combination of many things. He’s a storyteller, he’s a painter, he’s a musician, he’s an art director. So, he should have everything. And he’s also an entertainer. Entertaining people, that is our prime duty. And also, he’s also a preacher, because some of the films… Preacher, that is a very difficult thing.
Some of the films carry subtle messages. Yeah, message has to be there, but it shouldn’t be in a preachy way. It should be in an entertaining way, an engaging way. Because my ultimate job is to evoke the emotion inside the audiences minds.
Finally, if not a filmmaker, what would you have been?
I would have been a spiritual guru. Because my foundation has been laid in the Gurukul and cultural environment.
