Offbeat: Aleya Sen’s idea of mathematical code & the world’s existence

Adgully’s special feature section – ‘Offbeat’ – seeks to give a peek into the lesser known facets of our very well-known industry leaders. We present, in the industry leaders’ own words, an interesting read on areas that are not usually highlighted in regular media coverage – be it about their childhood days, secret skills that they possess, how they unwind from their hectic schedules, and much more. 

Aleya Sen, Co-Founder, Ad & Feature Film Writer, Director & Producer, Chrome Pictures, is one of the most highly respected and reputed female ad film directors in the country today. 

Sen co-founded Chrome Pictures in the year 2004. Today, the production house is listed among the top 3 ad production companies in the country. Sen has managed to break the glass ceiling and establish a place for herself in a predominantly male dominated industry, which includes remuneration at par with her male counterparts. 

Some of her most successful and highly acclaimed work has been – Salaam Bombay’s Anti-Tobacco campaign – ‘Life Se Panga Mat Le Yaar’, ‘18 Again’, Promotions for ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, Idea, McDonalds, Nokia, and Godrej, to name a few.  

Sen’s style of direction has received a lot of appreciation nationally as well as internationally and recognised on platforms including the Dada Saheb Phalke Awards, Cannes Lions, ProMax Asia Awards, New York Film Festival, Goa Film Festival and many more.  

Besides ad films, Sen had earlier directed the feature film Dil Juunglee with Tapsee Pannu.

Despite her busy schedule, Sen is also involved in a lot of socially relevant causes. She is the co-founder of an NGO, called Phool Versha Foundation, which offers services such as medical assistance, sponsorship to children with multiple disabilities, assistance to the elderly and rural development in the impoverished sections of society.  

A precious childhood trait that you still possess?
I am a terrible liar. 

Any superhero fetish and what power you wish you possessed?
A power that I wish to possess is to travel back and forth in time. 

What is your biggest fear and how do you face it?
Fear of falling. The best way to overcome a fear is to face it head on. 

A secret that you have which no one knows about?
When told, it would lose its privileged status! 

Also Read: Offbeat: RAW agent, Bollywood star – The secret dreams of Prashant Puri

What would one find in your playlist?
Soft rock. 

Your go-to activity to relax?
Reading. 

What is the greatest lesson that you have learnt from life so far?
E=mc2. Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. This isn’t philosophy, but physics - Albert Einstein. 

A social cause that you are most passionate about?
Third gender discrimination. It’s simply a genetic construct. What’s so non-accepting about it? It’s like saying, I do not accept the 350,000 species of beetles. I only like 3 of them! 

What’s the one thing you would like to change about yourself?
Macro level thinking. 

If you were not the Co-founder & Film Director at Chrome Pictures, then what would you have been?
I don’t know. I’m walking on the path that I wanted to walk on. And it’s a damn long walk! 

What are the three apps on your mobile you couldn’t live without?
WhatsApp, Netflix, Safari. 

Also Read: Offbeat: Laqshya Media’s Atul Shrivastav seeks rejuvenation on the road

What’s the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it?
‘The Code’, a documentary series by Marcus Du Sautoy. I love the idea of mathematical code that applies to the entire existence of this world. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Somewhere in the hills.

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