#MyHeroes: He shared his life's secret with me!

“I am a happy man”, says 41-year-old Noel Smith, Director and founder of Film Farming who agreed for an unplanned interview at his tastefully personally designed beautiful house. 

A man who never planned anything in life has come a long way winning accolades for his work and admiration for the person he is.  As a child he was disciplined, obedient and a simple person, who has not changed even a bit in the 40 years.  His fingers would create magic on paper in the form of sketches and he would find solace in every stroke of the pencil. He was an average student and had an undying love for sports. A cricket fanatic, he always wanted to become a cricketer but didn’t get a chance to pursue it. Soon, the sketches became lost friends as life had played its part. It was his turn to let go of the support system and move ahead. With only his 11-year-old brother - his small world and family with him, he embarked on the journey to carve an identity for himself in the real world.

He never witnessed his growing up closely and his only mantra for the way forward was, “Go with the flow”.  With a blurred vision of the goal, but a clear understanding of earning his bread & butter he began working initially as an animator, later as a production person for a television show and then as a project manager for a website portal.  The real breakthrough in his career was at the age of 25 when he got an opportunity to assist the legendary director Mr. Shyam Benegal.  “There were so many people who used to come for an interview to be an assistant to Mr Shyam Benegal so I was really thrilled when I got the opportunity”, he says excitedly as he remembers the golden opportunity.  It was that time of his life when he realized his true calling and goal in life. “The experience made me realize that Yes, I want to become a director”, says Noel, who was not aware that he is soon going to see his dream come true.

For someone who has worked hard to build his empire he values every relationship as strong bonds, which he nurtures with love and care. He breaths life in all his relationships. He is sensitive and his heart goes out for his loved ones.  He doesn’t like labeling relationships but likes to respect the integrity of it. His family, friends, co-workers and industry mates love this tough man who has a caressing heart. 

He is overwhelmed with God’s blessings and holds immense gratitude towards him. A strong believer of God, he finds positivity in every aspect of life. Freedom for Noel is to not stop him from talking. He is blunt and straightforward in his talks and hence he is misunderstood as ‘khadoos’ at times. So he chooses silence instead of blurting the truth and let people interpret his silence in their own way.  Over the time he wants to start opening up and speak his mind instead of being silent, as he really wants to drop his guards in the hope people get ready to hear him out.

Well, for now he see himself as a successful Producer of his company Film Farming some years down the line crafting interesting stories on the silver screen marking his glorious 50 years.

Post that he has some exciting retirement plans of moving to Goa with his family a house by the beach, a tiny shack, a personal garden and a relaxing family life. 

Creative, Determined, Believer, Content, Achiever – that’s Noel Smith for me.

#MyHeroes