Sahil Salathia
Sahil Salathia

All of us unknowingly end up watching TV commercials quite a few times a day. And so, I am very glad MissMalini asked me to share with all you how a TVC is really made! As a model, I get to do a lot of photo shoots & television commercials but I’m really excited to share my latest adventure, a Lava Mobiles TV spot!

Vanity van for Sahil Salathia
Vanity van for Sahil Salathia

Usually fittings and stuff with the main cast takes place a few days prior to the shoot. When the day of the shoot arrives, assistant directors are jumping from one place to another, as are the spot dadas, background dancers and of course, the technicians and supporting teams.

Sahil Salathia
Sahil Salathia

This particular commercial was shot at Whistling Woods, Mr. Subhash Ghai‘s premier institute of television, film and media arts. We started rolling at 8am and had to wrap up before sunset, considering it was a college set-up.

Sahil Salathia
Sahil Salathia

Personally, I think you’re just as good as the team you work with. On this commercial, Mr. Kiran Deohans was the director of photography (yup, the same person who was the D.O.P. on Jodhaa Akbar, the epic Bollywood film and quite a few notable other movies). Basically, all you have to do as an actor is a little nautanki where the magical team has set up the frame for you and it all unfolds…

Inside Sahil Salathia's vanity van
Inside Sahil Salathia’s vanity van

I think an actor’s job on set is the easiest. And an actor is also the most pampered one, if you think about the 50-100 technicians working to set the frame for you and make the ad film look the way it does. After ALL that, you get to be the face of the ad, which is kinda unfair, considering a lot of homework and research has been put together by a massive team! But what can be done? Life is unfair! Hahaha okay fine, yes, you have to be a little talented somewhere to be an actor, due credit taken 🙂

Now watch the commercial and tell me what you think in the comments below!