Anurag Basu, one of the few directors, who have made a mark in both television and cinema was at WWI once more, for a Master Class. In January 2008, he had held a Master Class following the screening of his Life In A …Metro (2007) At the Master Class (held after the screening of Gangster , 2006 ) moderated by filmmaker Subhash Ghai,(S G) Chairman, WWI, Basu spoke briefly about the early days of his eventful career. Not having had the opportunity of a formal education in filmmaking, he believes that his early experiences in the film industry - as an actor and as an assistant cameraman, all came together - “helped me to become a director very fast.” And he went on to have many successful serials to his credit, before directing films.

In the Q & A session with the students, Basu narrated how, despite the budget constraints while making Gangster, he was able to locate his story in Korea, with just a 10 day schedule in that country. On the Director-Producer relationship, he said, “One should work with a producer who is as excited with the subject. And, trust between the director and the producer is important, or it can be a very bad journey.”

On Writing, he feels that “the Director has to be the Writer, ….because your screenplay decides how your film is going to look.” On working with his Actors, Basu who has had a background of theatre said, “I have to get into the scene, enact the scene” and prefers to have an assistant who is also a good actor.

Basu advised the students, who thanks to their formal education at WWI, are “completely equipped”, “Be ready for that first break - even when assisting, play every scene in your head - above all, believe in your subject.”

Basu pointed out that among the successful directors of today, are several like him who have not come from ‘a film background’, but have honed their skills in television.“Work for at least one year in television; it is a training ground for everything, for writing, for directing, for photography… you have to think very fast, you are working everyday, and you are learning everyday”. The director of the much-awaited ’international’ film Kites believes that he is “still learning everyday.”