'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' director Arjun Varain Singh on his filmmaking journey, the success of the film, and more

If scrolling through social media is a crime, everybody is guilty of it. Arjun Varain Singh’s directorial debut, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, tells a compelling story that is as twisted and notorious as it is beautiful and relevant. There’s a sense of comfort about the way all three characters play a friend, a companion, and a completely screwed-up GenZer who are both at odds and in sync with their lives, relationships, and self. All while trying to fill their voids with the next new thing, whatever that is. This slice-of-life drama blurs the line between reality and fantasy, scathing its way into a Gen-Z existential crisis. There’s inherent FOMO, constant need for validation, obsessive scrolling, and mindless posting. Forcing us to put our phones away, Arjun asks us to answer simple question truthfully: “Where did we lose ourselves?”

Harper's Bazaar: This is your debut feature film; how does it make you feel?
Arjun Varain Singh: “Honestly, quite overwhelmed. Even though the film has been with me for four years; having it out there, for the world to see is a feeling that I had never imagined. There’s a sense of relief, and right now, I’m eager to dive into the next film. I miss the rush of being on set.”

HB: What inspired you to come up with the story for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan?
AVS: “This being my first film, I wanted it to be about my world and my life.The movie represents my life at 25, focusing on the idea of being lost and realising the importance of the right friendships and authenticity in the digital age. I was in New York, on a train ride with Zo (Zoya Akhtar), while we were editing Gully Boy. She and I started discussing dating apps, the Instagram obsession, and relationships in this digital generation. We started comparing Gen X and Gen Z and the changes that have come about. It was this conversation that sparked the initial idea of the film.”

HB: How has your experience on set been so far?
AVS: “Having the opportunity to work with Zoya and be a part of her filmmaking process on Gully Boy was monumental in my growth as a director.The Kho Gaye Hum Kahan set was a blast.The average age of our crew was between 25 and 30, and the energy was electric.We knew we were making something authentic to our generation and the collaborative spirit made it super special.”

HB: What inspired you to try filmmaking?
AVS: “Growing up, my father exposed us to a variety of movies, creating a love for storytelling. I have always loved telling stories, whether it was through theatre, film, or creative writing.”

HB: What kind of stories do you wish to tell the world through your films?
AVS: “I want to be able to entertain, provoke thought, and emotionally move an audience. I am genre agnostic, and even though my first film was coming-of-age, I want to explore other spaces.While this film explores being 25 and authentic to yourself, my next will be about being 30 and finding your purpose in life.”

HB: The choice of music in the film is gaining a lot of traction.What was the idea behind it?
AVS: “I listen to all kinds of music. Having said that, I am a huge fan of the Indie music scene.For my film,I collaboratedwith indie artists like Ankur Tewari to curate a diverse yet cohesive soundtrack.The goal was to offer something distinctive that transcends genres.”

HB: Do you believe that this is a story that needed to be told?
AVS: “Absolutely. Social media is an omnipresent double-edged sword,connecting us yet fostering loneliness as we delve into the depths of our lighted screens, beside one another. This film is a reminder to look up from our phones and live in the moment, a little more.”

HB: Share your best memory of filming Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
AVS: “The day we shot Imaad’s final stand- up piece. It was an emotion-heavy scene, and by the end, I had tears in my eyes.”

HB: Pieces of cinema that you admire.
AVS: “Films like Wake Up Sid, Rock On!!, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and Dil Chahta Hai inspired Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. These stories capture the feeling of being young and lost, exploring friendships, and discovering self. Some international films I took inspiration from are Lady Bird, Dazed and Confused, American Graffiti, and Reality Bites!”

Feature Image: The Storygraphers

All Images: The Storygraphers 

This article originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar India January- February 2024 print issue

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