We were lucky to catch up with Zeeshan Khan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Zeeshan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always had a deep fascination with the world of film and cinematography. As an eight-year-old growing up in Bangalore, India, a city known as the Silicon Valley of India, it was almost expected that I would pursue a career in engineering or medicine, just like most of my family members. But I had other plans, and I was determined to pave my own path.

My interest in film started when my father brought home a film camera, and even though I wasn’t allowed to touch it, I couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty. The idea of capturing and preserving images for a lifetime piqued my interest, and I started to learn more about cameras and the world of film.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Despite my passion, my parents didn’t understand my love for cinema and couldn’t see how I could make a stable living in the industry. So, I got my undergrad in Commerce, but I didn’t let go of my passion. I participated in photography competitions and started doing fashion photography, which I shared on my personal social media page, ‘Zeislab.’

However, it wasn’t getting me any closer to becoming a cinematographer, so I switched paths and joined a company that filmed weddings. Although I was able to experiment with camera angles and composition, I didn’t get credit for my work. So, I spoke to my parents about my dream of pursuing cinematography professionally, and they finally understood my seriousness towards the field.

With their support, I flew to Los Angeles to pursue my passion further. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to work on exciting projects such as being the B-cam operator for Jerimiah Spencer’s (NFL Linebacker) Documentary and shooting experimental music videos like Prince Hadj’s ‘Ain’t Sorry.’ I am excited to see where this journey takes me, and I’m grateful to be living my dream of being a cinematographer.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As an artist, I have a burning desire to be recognized for my unique style and vision. I want to make an impact on the world and leave my mark by creating something truly meaningful and inspiring. I want to share my thoughts and visions with others, to show them who I am as a person and what I believe in.

There is something deeply fulfilling about creating art that resonates with others. It’s not just about fame or recognition – although those things are certainly appealing – it’s about knowing that my work has made a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s through a painting, a film, or a piece of music, I want to touch people’s hearts and minds and make them think about the world in a different way.

Of course, I’m not naive enough to think that this will be an easy road. The art world is notoriously competitive, and there are so many talented artists out there vying for attention. But I’m not deterred by that – if anything, it makes me even more determined to succeed.

I believe that my passion, my dedication, and my talent will help me to stand out from the crowd. I’m constantly striving to improve my craft, to push myself out of my comfort zone and create something truly unique and innovative. And while the recognition and validation that comes with success are certainly nice, at the end of the day, it’s the work itself that drives me forward.

I want to make a difference in the world through my art – to inspire people, to make them think, to challenge their preconceptions and broaden their perspectives. And I know that as long as I stay true to myself and my vision, I can achieve that goal. It’s a long road, but I’m excited to see where it leads.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, as an artist, the most rewarding aspect of my work is collaborating with other artists. There’s something special about sitting down with someone who shares my vision and creating something beautiful together. It’s a feeling like no other, and this collaborative process inspires me to chase the high of creating art and motivates me to explore new projects and ideas.

I also find it incredibly satisfying to make my audience feel something through my work. If my film, my work, is able to connect with my audience on an emotional level is a powerful thing. Seeing people connect with and appreciate my work provides a sense of validation that motivates me to continue exploring my creativity.

The freedom and autonomy that comes with being an artist or creative is also important to me. Being able to choose my own projects, set my own schedule, and work on what I’m passionate about provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment in my work. This sense of control over my own creative output allows me to explore new ideas and push my boundaries further.

Overall, as an artist, I find the most rewarding aspect of my work to be the ability to collaborate with others, evoke emotions in my audience, and have the freedom to explore my creativity on my own terms. These aspects of my work provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose that is hard to find in other areas of life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/zeislab
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14092562

Image Credits
Krish Nihalani