was much of a chance for me to work in Mumbai / Bombay. It was very very hard for north Indians to get a break in Bombay.. The only other place they were making movies back then was in Calcutta and Madras. I decided to learn English, with the concept that I might go over there and give it a try. Of course, with all the work I was doing, I never got into any real sequence of lessons; and I am partially dyslexic, so it was difficult learning a new language.
QUESTION: How did you get started in the business? What did you do?
RAJIV JAIN: I started as a gofer, apprentice, trainee, spark, grip, key grip, loader, best boy, focus puller and worked my way up to gaffer (Indian term: chief assistant to DOP).
QUESTION: How long did you work as an assistant?
RAJIV JAIN: Oh, around 7 – 8 years.
QUESTION: What did you do when you completed you assistant