Pratima Jaidev is a media professional whose passion for ‘storytelling’ began at the age of six when she saw a film from the projection room of a movie theatre. She has over two decades of experience across various industry verticals, including the corporate (IT) sector, media houses, and the educational sector. She has worked with reputable firms such as the Discovery Channel, Voice of America in the U.S., and Annapurna Film School, Telangana Academy for Skills and Knowledge, among others, in India.
Pratima has written and directed over 100 projects, including documentaries, corporate films, TV commercials, and short films, for clients of National and International repute. Her work has won laurels and bagged a few awards in film festivals, both at the National and International levels. She now continues to make films under the banner of Tarangini Mediaworks, established by her father, Mr.C.J. Reddy, three decades ago.
Currently, she is also the co-founder of Creative Aspirations, an overseas educational consultancy firm catering exclusively to the needs of students aspiring to enter the creative industries either in India or abroad. In terms of the print media, some of her short stories are published in various anthologies, and True Spirit is her first book.
In an Exclusive Interview with Pratima Jaidev with Nitish Raj; Editor-in-Chief, The Literary Mirror the seasoned storyteller talks about her debut book along with various aspects of storytelling.
Q.1 “True Spirit” is your debut book. Can you tell us about the journey of writing it? What was the inspiration behind this anthology, and why did you choose it as your debut work?
PJ: I was born and brought up in a family where I have seen only strong women. So, when I decided to write my first anthology, I wanted to write about stories that showcase steadfast grit. While researching, I found a lot of unheard voices around me who have inspired people in their small worlds individually. I wanted these unsung heroes to be known to the world, as I felt someone out there might draw inspiration silently for themselves if they are scared to seek support.
Q.2 Given your extensive experience in visual storytelling (films, documentaries, etc.), how did your approach to “True Spirit” differ in writing?
PJ: I’m a visual person, a storyteller who’s also imparted many soft skill sessions for participants from varied backgrounds. So, actions always speak louder than words for me. Hence, I tried to give the same visual treatment to my stories in this anthology, too.
The stories are all written in first person to make them sound authentic, like the main characters themselves are narrating them, just like how people share their stories in documentaries, which has been my forte for a long time. And, yes, I had to be a little more descriptive in the written form than how I write for the visual medium, as here the written word has to not only convey but also make the reader visualize and empathize with the characters.
Q.3 As a storyteller, what message do you hope readers will take away from “True Spirit”?
PJ: Writing these stories has been a great learning experience for me because I have not only learnt about human psychology but also about the unique ways in which one can work on different solutions to a problem without getting bogged down.
I’m hoping that at least one story will resonate with each and every reader, and they will draw inspiration for their own life from these strong 21 women contributors who are part of the anthology.
Q.4 The title “True Spirit” is intriguing. Without giving away too much, can you shed some light on its significance within the context of the book?
PJ: Every human being has an amazing spirit that lies within them, which allows them to be resilient during life’s challenging situations. But, it is only a few who are determined to redefine their lives and become an inspiration for everyone around them. True Spirit is a powerful anthology of real-life short stories celebrating the grit, grace, and resilience of women. Each story captures a defining moment of courage — inspiring, moving, and deeply human — without giving it all away.
Q.5 You’ve had short stories published in various anthologies. How does the process of writing a short story compare to writing a full-length book like “True Spirit”? Do you have a preference, and why?
PJ: All my short stories that are published in various anthologies have a different theme. I wanted a central theme for all the stories of resilience, growth, and success, and hence decided to bring them under the umbrella title, True Spirit. Every story in this anthology showcases stories of women from different walks of life who have faced life’s most challenging trials with unwavering grit and quiet grace.
Q.6 Do you have any plans for future books, perhaps a follow-up to “True Spirit” or an entirely new project? Can you share any insights into what readers might expect next from you?
PJ: Yes! I would surely love to continue writing stories of not just women but men too; who would not mind sharing their personal stories of resilience with me to inspire others. However, I’m currently toying with the idea of working on a script for a movie.
Q.7 You decided to make storytelling your profession at the age of six. How has that early passion evolved and shaped your approach to writing books and creating films today?
PJ: I used to read a lot of short stories and a few novels, too, as a child. I sometimes used to even hide my storybooks among my academic books to complete the stories once I start reading them. Then one day, I watched a film along with the projectionist in the projection room of a movie theatre. That experience left a lasting impression on me. That day, I decided that I wanted to be a storyteller both for print and also for the visual media where I could see my name associated with the stories.
I started participating in all the story-writing competitions in school, and also the ones announced by popular English dailies. The appreciation I received for all the stories published led me to pursue English literature in both my bachelor’s and my Masters. I later went abroad to do my Masters in film and video production.
Today, I have to credit more than 100 + projects of various natures, both fiction and non-fiction, for clients of national and international repute. Every project I worked on has taught me some or the other aspect of human psychology and the way societies function, and that motivation allows me to continue with storytelling, be it for print or for the visual medium.
Q.8 Beyond your work, who are some authors or storytellers that have particularly inspired your literary journey?
PJ: A few authors who have inspired me over the years with their writing are Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, J.K. Rowling, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Ernest Hemingway, Rabindranath Tagore, Arundhati Roy, and Sudha Murthy.
Great. Any method of tapping into the Supreme power deep in everyone, including children and men, is perhaps the only way to uplift society/community through self development and self givernance. Best wishes for the success of her efforts.
Interesting and Inspiring Prathima ! Expecting more from you 👍