Yogesh Deshpande On Turning Point In His Career: Working On 66 Sadashiv Gave Me... (EXCLUSIVE)

Yogesh Deshpande interview: At Filmibeat, we love interacting with artists, filmmakers, writers and musicians who are passionate about their craft. There's someone who has been creating waves with his visual storytelling skills in TVCs, and now films. As we engaged in a fun-filled conversation with Yogesh Deshpande, we got transported into his world.

Filmmaker Yogesh Deshpande blends the sharp discipline of advertising with cinema rooted in emotion. He built a strong name as a writer and director of ad films, having created more than 100 ad films for various brands.

In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Chief Copy Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Yogesh got candid about RedefineZ Productions, his first feature film '66 Sadashiv', making India's first-ever musical biopic, Swaragandharvaa Sudhir Phadke.

Here are excerpts from the interview

1) You've worked extensively in advertising since 2005. What inspired your transition into mainstream Hindi cinema now?

My journey has always been rooted in storytelling. Advertising gave me a strong foundation, but over time I felt the need to explore stories with greater emotional depth and complexity. Moving into mainstream Hindi cinema felt like a natural progression, allowing me to tell narratives that are both intimate and socially relevant on a larger canvas.

2) How did your experience directing over 100 ad films shape your storytelling approach for feature films?

Advertising teaches you to communicate clearly and create impact within a very limited time. It sharpened my visual language and discipline as a storyteller. While feature films allow more space, I still carry that sense of precision and focus, ensuring that every scene serves a purpose.

3) What challenges did you face while moving from short-format advertising to long-form cinema?

The biggest challenge was adapting to a different rhythm. Advertising is fast and immediate, whereas cinema requires patience and layered storytelling. I had to consciously slow down my approach and allow characters and emotions to evolve organically over time.

4) Can you tell us about the turning point that made you feel ready for this shift?

It wasn't a single turning point but a gradual journey. Working on films like 66 Sadashiv and Swaragandharvaa Sudhir Phadke gave me the confidence to handle long-form storytelling. Those experiences made me feel ready to take on a Hindi film that could reach a wider audience.

5) How has founding RedefineZ Productions influenced your creative independence?

Founding RedefineZ Productions has been crucial in shaping my creative voice. It has given me the freedom to back stories I truly believe in, without compromising on authenticity. That independence becomes especially important when dealing with culturally rooted and socially relevant subjects.

6) Your film 66 Sadashiv marked your entry into feature film making-what did that experience teach you?

It was an exciting journey into a new format of story telling. There was always more to say, more texture, more characters, more silence between the words. 66 Sadashiv was my way of saying, okay, now let's breathe. Let me sit with a story long enough to really let it unfold. That film was my leap of faith. Not into a new industry, into a new version of myself as a creator.

7) Swaragandharvaa Sudhir Phadke received international recognition. What made that project so special for you?

It was a deeply personal and culturally significant project. Telling the story of such an iconic figure through music made it very special. It was also a tribute to a legacy that has influenced generations, which made the responsibility even greater.

Stay tuned for the second part of the detailed interview.