Dar Gai (Ukrainian: Дар Гай) (born, 15 December 1989) is a Ukrainian-Indian director, screenwriter and producer. [1][2][3] She is best known for her work on the films Teen Aur Aadha and Namdev Bhau: In Search of Silence.[4][5] She is the founder of Jugaad Motion Pictures, a Mumbai-based media studio engaged in the production of feature films, television series, commercials, and music videos. [6] Gai has directed popular music videos for Indian artists like Prateek Kuhad and Ritviz.[7][8]
Dar Gai | |
---|---|
Born | Daria Gaikalova December 15, 1989 |
Education | Minor in film, MBA & PhD in Philosophy |
Occupation(s) | Director, Producer |
Years active | 2018 - present |
Early life
editDar was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. She is the alumni Berlinale Talents. [9] Dar holds a BFA and MFA degrees in Philosophy with a minor in film and theatre from the NaUKMA.[10] Later, she was invited to India to direct theatre plays at the Scindia School, in Gwalior. She also taught screenwriting and film appreciation in Whistling Woods International Institute, in Mumbai.[11]
Career
editShe began her career in India by teaching screenwriting and film appreciation at ‘Whistling Woods International’, a private film school in Mumbai founded by filmmaker Subhash Ghai. Dar's debut narrative feature film “Teen Aur Aadha” (Three and a Half) was co-produced and directed by Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. [12] The film was featured in 40 International film festivals and won 18 Awards, eventually streaming globally on Netflix. [13][14]
In 2018, Dar directed her second film, “Namdev Bhau: In Search of Silence,” which world-premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, followed by a UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival and screenings at MAMI, Dharamshala International Film Festival, and IFFI. The film then had a North American premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. [15][16]
Dar was also the executive producer for the 2021 Film ‘"Last Film Show", directed by Pan Nalin. [17] This film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards, marking the first Indian film in 21 years to be shortlisted for the Best International Film category. [18]
She has directed music videos with international music labels like Spinnin Records, Sony Music, and JioSaavn for Indian artists like Ritviz, and Prateek Kuhad. Liggi & Sage have garnered over 300 million views on YouTube, with "Cold/mess" named "Music Video of the Year” by Rolling Stone. [19][20]
In 2021, She directed the music video for Kasoor by Prateek Kuhad, produced during the COVID-19 lockdown. The video featured fan-submitted clips filmed at home, capturing a range of personal expressions and emotions. The music video subsequently garnered over 20 million views on YouTube. [21]
In 2022, Dar Gai was invited to direct two music videos “ Doobey” and, “Bekaboo” from the film, Gehraiyaan starring Deepika Padukone, Ananya Pandey and, Siddhant Chaturvedi garnering over 140 million views on YouTube collectively.[22][23] After her work in the music videos, she was invited to work as an intimacy director in the film.[24]
In 2024, she directed Adidas Teen Ka Dream, the Cricket World Cup Anthem, released under Jugaad Motion Pictures. [25] She also directed JioCinema's 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, a film for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, celebrating the inspiring dedication of our Olympians. [26]
She has been named one of the “Top 15 Female Filmmakers of the Last Decade” by Taste of Cinema. [27][28]
Filmography
editFilms
editYear | Film | Role |
---|---|---|
2018 | Teen Aur Aadha | Director, Writer, Producer |
2018 | Namdev Bhau: In Search of Silence | Director, Writer, Producer |
2021 | Last Film Show | Executive Producer |
2022 | Gehraiyaan | Intimacy Director |
Music Videos
editYear | Artist(s) | Track Title |
---|---|---|
2020 | Prateek Kuhad | cold/mess |
2021 | Ritviz | Sage |
2021 | Liggi | |
2021 | Raahi | |
2021 | Prateek Kuhad | Kasoor |
2022 | Lothika, OAFF, Savera, and Kausar Munir | Doobey |
2020 | Jasleen Royal | Nit Nit |
2019 | KSHMR, Lost Stories ft. Kavita Seth | Bombay Dreams |
2019 | Ape Echoes | Hold Tight |
Awards
editYear | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | LifeArt Festival | Jury prize | Three And A Half (Teen Aur Aadha) | Nominated | [29][30] |
Odesa International Film Festival | International competition program | Nominated | [31] | ||
Santa Cruz International Film Festival | Best film | Won | [32] | ||
2019 | Ulju Mountain Film Festival | NETPAC award | Namdev Bhau: In Search of Silence | Nominated | [33] |
References
edit- ^ "Ukrainian filmmaker Dar Gai to make Bollywood debut". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ "'In Search of Silence' Filmmaker Dar Gai Finds Home in India". variety.com. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ "Ukrainian Director Dar Gai On Making Her Film About A 65-Year-Old Mumbai Chauffeur's Search For Silence". filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
- ^ "'Namdev Bhau: In Search of Silence': Film Review - Mumbai 2018". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ "TEEN AUR AADHA [2018]: 'PIFF' REVIEW — OF STORIES UNTOLD AND SECRETS UNGUARDED". highonfilms.com. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ "India is home, a part of me, says Ukrainian filmmaker Dar Gai with two Bollywood films in kitty". The Indian Express. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Kaushal, Sweta (2022-01-29). "Gehraiyaan intimacy director Dar Gai on working with Deepika Padukone-Siddhant Chaturvedi: They were ready to experiment". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
- ^ "Gehraiyaan intimacy director Dar Gai: 'MeToo movement made us realise how trust is compromised on sets'". The Indian Express. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
- ^ Studios, Purpose (2023-04-14). "Dar Gai". Good Ads Matter. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Dar Gai". indisches-filmfestival.de. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ "India is home, a part of me, says Ukrainian filmmaker Dar Gai with two Bollywood films in kitty". indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ Entertainment, Quint (2018-01-22). "Before 'Mukkabaaz', Anurag-Zoya Teamed up for 'Teen Aur Aadha'". TheQuint. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Know More About Dar Gai - IFP". 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Kader, Fathima Abdul (2021-06-08). "Critically Acclaimed Indie Movie 'Teen Aur Aadha' Should Be Your Next Netflix Watch". Homegrown. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2018-10-07). "'In Search of Silence' Filmmaker Dar Gai Finds Home in India". Variety. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ Rosario, Kennith (2018-10-05). "Five Indian films have their world premières at the Busan International Film Festival". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "Shochiku opens 'Last Film Show' with a bang in Cinemas across Japan- Exclusive!". The Times of India. 2023-01-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (2022-12-21). "Oscars: Shortlists for 95th Academy Awards Unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ Staff, Homegrown (2021-06-08). "An Intimate Look Behind The Scenes Of Prateek Kuhad's New 'cold/mess' Video". Homegrown. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ Britto, Anurag Tagat, Riddhi Chakraborty and David (2018-12-26). "10 Best Indian Music Videos of 2018". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ TAGAT, ANURAG (2020-07-17). "Lockdown music videos go mobile". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "Gehraiyaan intimacy director Dar Gai reveals how she got Deepika Padukone-Siddhant Chaturvedi comfortable with each other: 'Everyone was very curious…'". The Indian Express. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "Who is Deepika Padukone's Gehraiyaan intimacy coach Dar Gai?". India Today. 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "Gehraiyaan intimacy director Dar Gai spills the beans on Deepika-Siddhant's bold scenes | Exclusive". India Today. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Tagat, Anurag (2023-10-08). "Virat Kohli and Team India Appear in Raftaar and Karan Kanchan's World Cup Song '3 Ka Dream'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "JioCinema's Paris Olympics coverage to have curated India feed, women athletes feed". Exhange4Media.
- ^ Srivastav, Arnav (2019-01-30). "The 15 Best Women-Directed Movies of The Last Decade". Taste of Cinema - Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ world, STIR. "Filmmaker Dar Gai reminisces the indestructible magic of Ukraine". www.stirworld.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "LifeArt Festival (2018)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ "LIFEART FESTIVAL | 2018 MOVIE SELECTION". LifeArt Festival. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ "Оголошено Міжнародну конкурсну програму ОМКФ-2018 | Новини". oiff.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ "Palmares 2018". FESTIVAL DE CINE DE SANTA CRUZ (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ "Ulju Mountain Film Festival (2019)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
External links
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