Today we have with us very creative and talented Upasana who has interned with Y-Films, DNA as a crime reporter and done a marketing internship with Only Much Louder for NH7 Weekender Pune.
InternFeel (IF): Please tell us something about yourself. Where are you studying currently? What are your hobbies and interests?
Upasana Dasgupta (UD): Hi! My name is Upasana Dasgupta. I am 20 year old, who moved out of the city of Joy around last year to pursue Media studies in Mumbai. I am second year student studying Journalism in Amity University Mumbai. As for hobbies, I have always been inclined to culture and art. I have always loved writing and wanted my career to be put forward in a same arena as that. I have a strong inclination for theatre and that’s how I began my journey.
IF: Tell us something about your internship including stipend, duration and place?
UD: With internships, I would begin with my association to Yash Raj Films as a creative part of their online venture Y -Films. I was called for an interview, after the creative read one of my satirical blogs on censorship and culture in India, for a college forum. The unexpected interview, with ten other much more experienced people, got me through. I was interning with Ashish Patil, and the rest of the story and screenplay team of Y Films until August, when they termed my internship to temporary employment as a junior screenplay writer of Y Films.
In between, my college internship procedure came where I had to do a summer internship for a month. For which I chose to work with DNA in Crime section. Because Crime journalism is something I always wanted to do. I worked with the best stories for a month and I am still associated with them as a press member though my internship got over in July.
Trying to explore more and something fun, I am also doing a marketing internship in Only Much Louder for NH7 Weekender Pune. My love for music, and being able to be a part of the great team that makes it happen. Feels ecstatic.
IF: How competitive was the selection process? According to you, which qualities have helped you have an edge in the selection process? Also, what were the key things that selectors were looking for?
UD: One hack that I have learnt in the media industry in these couple of months is that it’s just your experience and skill that actually matter. Nothing else, no scores, CGPAs or anything they at all care about.
As for qualities, I think throughout my little journey of success, I discovered myself a little if not a lot. But for a fact, I think confidence is something one should have in them. That is something they really look for in the professional industry. And I think I always did stick to that, obviously with my hardwork and skill which always matters.
IF: Could you please highlight the work/research you carried out during your internship period?
UD: With, Yash Raj Films I have interned with Projects like Ladies Room, Sex chat with Pappu and Papa. But after being an assistant screenplay writer I am working with the new web series Darr2.0, also one of mains coming up is YRF Love shots 2.
In DNA, for the month of June and July I covered quite a lot of cases, that included The Malvani triple murder case, the High profile model sex racket, The Udta Punjab Cyber crime and a few others.
IF: Can you give us interesting details about your experience – good and bad?
UD: I think luckily, I have innumerable experienes. I can’t imagine one year in the city of dreams could transform so much for me. There have been instances when Ashish has promoted me to his assistant from an intern. Also, when Vishal Dadlani, himself texted me to tell me how impressed he was with my work. To Kalki ma’am telling me, that I am a beautiful woman. My sleepless nights, hardwork have always rewarded me with these moments which made me better.
The best intern award in DNA Crime is something that’s cornered my heart. And the biggest achievement would be my recent opportunity to assist Anuraag Kashyap with his 2018 release.
IF: With everything that is good, there is also something that doesn’t turn out to be as good. Were there any such instances?
UD: You know, what’s funny? I have been so dedicated to work, that I didn’t afford to do any glitch. But I remember a little glitch, which was life changing for me in some other way. In the beginning of my YRF days, I got a disappointment email from Rohit, my boss at Y-Films, due to a last minute ditching of my classmate. That incident made me work my best and me what I am today, and also made me know people a little. So even when sometimes I wish it wouldn’t have happened, but mostly I am glad that day happened. I got a lot from it.
IF: How do you think this internship has helped you grow? In other words, what are your key takeaways from the internship? Have these internships had a decision altering impact on your career?
UD: I think I am a part of the industry, and my career is on a set go, with the evolvement which began with my internship. I think these internships are always going to be counted on. They changed my life completely.
IF: Lastly, do you have any words of advice or caution for students aspiring for this internship and reading this piece?
UD: I think in my field of work, I have worked behind a lot of content sensitive to women, showing the reality to the world in whatever small ways possible. I think if you’re talking about race, there isn’t any drawback for women today. I am a twenty year old girl, have achieved some things that a lot men at that age more couldn’t achieve.
I think, finding your way, and grabbing the right opportunity and improving in it is the best, one should always do.
We’d like to thank Upasana for the amazing interview and insights given in this interview. We wish her all the luck and hope she continues with the same zest and zeal in the future.
