Insta Millionaire Writer Swapnil Jain On Switching From Acting To Writing, Family's REACTION & More- EXCLUSIVE

He hails from the small town of Bhawani Mandi but his dreams have never been small. He has left a reverberating impact in the audio series industry with his hit project- Insta Millionaire, which has captivated listeners on Pocket FM. We are talking about Swapnil Jain.

The Rajasthan boy was initially known for his supporting roles in different web series. It was Swapnil's exceptional writing skills that set him apart as he turned the game with his writing skills in Pocket FM's popular series. In an exclusive interview with Filmibeat, Jain spoke about his transition from acting to writing, spilling the beans on his family's reaction to his big career change.

Q- Swapnil, could you please share the inspiration behind your audio series?

Swapnil: The idea stemmed from the observations of societal disparities and economic contrasts within our country. These observations prompted me to write a love story where money plays a prominent role, overshadowing love and disregarding values. Thus, the character of Lucky, a millionaire who upholds his moral principles and demonstrates that wealth or poverty should not determine one's capacity for love and compassion, came to mind.

Q- So, while crafting the characters and storyline, were there any specific aspects you focused on to address the issue of disparity in society?

Swapnil: Primarily, I aimed the audio series at the younger generation, as they are often influenced by the notion of accumulating more wealth at the expense of compromising their values. Since I belong to the same age group, I witnessed how young individuals flaunt material possessions. Consequently, my target audience became the youth in an effort to shed light on these concerns.

Q- As you hail from the heartland of India, I'm curious to know at what point in your life you realize your passion for acting. Did it take you a considerable amount of time to decide? Can you please take us through your journey?

Swapnil: The process was quite organic, given that the town I come from lacks exposure to artistic endeavors, particularly in literary and fine arts. It is a commercially driven town with predominantly business-oriented individuals, and I was expected to follow in my family's footsteps. However, during my school days, I found myself captivated by the stories shared by my Hindi and English teachers during language classes. I excelled in both subjects and can recall an incident where I wrote an essay on India and Pakistan, being the only student in a classroom of 35 to do so.

The teacher appreciated my work and encouraged me to write more frequently, not necessarily as a professional writer but as a means of practice. Gradually, writing became a natural inclination for me. Whenever a thought struck me, I would pen it down, be it in the form of poetry, paragraphs, or short stories. After completing my 12th standard, I found myself torn between pursuing the family business or exploring something on my own. Taking a leap of faith, I decided to dedicate a year to self-discovery, abstaining from college, coaching, or examinations.

During that year, I immersed myself in films and novels, allowing my interests to organically evolve. I began reading novels and poetry, watching films, and eventually realized my passion lay in the entertainment industry. Following this realization, I enrolled in a Bachelor's program in journalism and mass communication while also engaging in theater. Coincidentally, my debut play involved improvisation, and I noticed inconsistencies in the dialogue delivery. Seizing the opportunity, I volunteered to write the entire scene despite having no prior experience in playwriting. To my surprise, the director appreciated my work, prompting me to focus on writing. Encouragement from supportive friends, who are now successful, further motivated me to write more frequently and explore various writing avenues, including short plays, advertisements, films, and both short and long stories.

Q- That's truly inspiring. It's impressive to see your diverse interests encompassing acting, writing, and even journalism. Did you work as a journalist alongside your other pursuits?

Swapnil: Yes, I have a keen interest in journalism as well. I previously worked with a local channel in my hometown for a year, serving as an anchor and showrunner. It was a delightful experience to be a part of the industry and contribute to the field of journalism.

Q- Since we're discussing your writing, we can't overlook your acting endeavors. It seems you have a passion for both. When did your interest in acting begin?

Swapnil: Ah, well, if I trace it back, I was quite shy during my school days, despite having a large group of friends. I tended to be reserved and only interacted with a select few. I always yearned for an opportunity to express myself but lacked avenues for artistic pursuits. However, during that one-year break, I realized that acting held a strong appeal for me. A friend of mine randomly suggested that we should try acting, drawing inspiration from actors like Salman Khan. Although he quickly discarded the idea, it lingered in my mind for a long time. So I thought, why not give acting a try? I ventured into theater, feeling nervous as it was a new experience for me in my hometown.

I discovered a wonderful opportunity to express myself through acting, which I truly enjoyed. However, I found writing to be even closer to my heart. It provided a means for me to express my own thoughts and ideas authentically. While acting requires delivering someone else's lines and portraying another person's thoughts, which I can do without any issue, most of the time, I feel the urge to convey my own thoughts.

Q- That's truly remarkable. As a theater actor, you're accustomed to performing on the spot without much preparation. However, in films, television, or web series, there's room for retakes. What fundamental differences have you observed while working in a theater compared to other projects, such as films or odd projects?

Swapnil: In theater, we had ample rehearsal time, allowing us to extensively prepare for the play. We followed a linear structure, starting rehearsals from the first scene. On the other hand, in OTT platforms or films, you receive individual scenes without knowing their chronological order or where they will be placed in the series or film. Another significant difference lies in the rehearsals. In films, retakes are possible during the shooting process, whereas in theater, rehearsals serve as the preparation for those retakes. Theater provided us with multiple opportunities to rehearse and recreate scenes. Furthermore, if a show didn't go as expected or something felt lacking, we had the chance to rectify it in subsequent performances. In films, however, you only have one opportunity to showcase your acting abilities. Although I found it challenging, it was also thrilling and adventurous. I still recall some of my camera performances that amazed me, as theater doesn't offer the same level of spontaneity.

Q- When you made the decision to become a writer, it wasn't an overnight choice; you took your time to decide. I'm curious, what was your family's reaction when you shared your desire to pursue a career in writing? In India, parents often have expectations for their children to become doctors or engineers, so were they skeptical when you expressed interest in the creative field?

Swapnil: I didn't specifically tell my family that I wanted to become a writer or actor because I didn't want the pressure of proving myself to fall on me. Instead, I took small steps to gradually reveal my ambitions. When I wanted to go to Jaipur, I told my father that I wasn't interested in pursuing medicine. I explained that I wanted to study journalism and mass communication there because it offered more opportunities and diversified my skills. My father agreed, thinking I would complete the three-year course and return to the family business. However, later on, I shared that I joined a theater in Jaipur to improve my vocabulary and groom myself for journalism.

When one of my short films was screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival, I asked my parents to watch it on television. That's when they realized I was dedicated to being a full-time actor or writer. They were happy to see me on screen and supported my choices. From that experience, I learned that actions speak louder than words, and it's important to pursue what you want without just saying it. This way, others will believe in you.

Q- That's fascinating. Now, coming back to Insta Millionaire. In the audio series, Lucky faces betrayal from his girlfriend. As a writer, did you draw inspiration from real-life experiences, including your own?

Swapnil: Yes, it's true that writers often draw inspiration from their own lives. However, the inspirations we gather are not as dramatic as those portrayed in shows, films, or television. In the case of Insta Millionaire, the inspiration came from my own life to some extent, but not in a literal sense. My personal experiences didn't mirror the exact situation where Lucky was betrayed by his girlfriend. The inspiration also stemmed from the people around me, as I observed and drew inspiration from their lives. While I may not be as fortunate as Lucky in terms of wealth, some of my friends have experienced similar situations. Thus, they became a primary source of inspiration for me.