From putting the focus on heinous drug trials with his show Human to now turning author with his book, Jaipur Splendor, Mozez Singh seamlessly moves from one art form to the other. The multi-hyphenate talks to Travel + Leisure India & South Asia about juggling these rolesand how travel influences his narratives. By Bayar Jain
T+L India: You’re a filmmaker, writer, producer, director, and product designer. How do you juggle these roles?
Mozez Singh: I really don’t think I juggle anything. For me, it all just flows.. By nature, I have always been eclectic—whether it’s the way that I live, dress or the career choices I make. So, to do one thing all the time would be monotonous for me.
T+L India: How did you foray into the creative field?
Mozez Singh: I have always been interested in the artistic, creative world. It was natural for me to gravitate towards this. But the doors really opened for me when I started working with a record label in New York, right after I finished college in Boston. That was the first time I was working in the creative field and it was like I had finally come home.
T+L India: Your works are known to provoke strong reactions. How do you deal with those who don’t see eye to eye with you? How do you deal with online trolls?
Mozez Singh: I don’t deal with trolls; I don’t care for them. I just continue to live my life, march on and stick to what I believe in. I’m open to having a dialogue with anyone who is informed about their opinions, but I don’t have the time for unwarranted hatred. As for my work having strong reactions and not everybody loving it, all I can say is, “Thank you for watching, and I’m not here to please you. I’m here to provoke you.”
T+L India: Tell us about your new book, Jaipur Splendor, and where did you draw inspiration for it?
Mozez Singh: Assouline reached out to me in early 2021. They were keen to do a book on Jaipur for their travel series. They asked me if I would be interested in coming on board to curate the book and write it, and I immediately said yes.
I love Jaipur. I have visited the city many times in my life and know it well. Plus, there wasn’t any way I would have turned down an Assouline project! Their books are exquisitely produced; they’re works of art in themselves. While filming Human, I was working on this book, it has been a challenging project. But it was a joy to work on it, it never felt like a chore.
T+L India: How does travel influence your works?
Mozez Singh: Travel is joy. The feeling of going to a place—new or not—is thrilling for me. There is always a sense of discovery, adventure and exploration. And these are exactly the emotions I like to bring into my work.
T+L India: What have been your most memorable travels?
Mozez Singh: I’ve travelled to too many incredible places, but some of my most memorable travels have been to Greece, Japan, Italy, and Bhutan.
T+L India: What have been some of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly destinations you’ve visited?
Mozez Singh: I think there is so place better than New York city for the LGBTQIA+ experience. It offers everything one would want—art, culture, fashion, nightlife. And Fire Island is next door!
T+L India: One holiday destination that you never tire of and why?
Mozez Singh: London. The city always feels like a warm hug. It’s a very special city. I feel at home there and I don’t think I will ever tire of it.
T+L India: Your most memorable vacation?
Mozez Singh: Most memorable vacation would be trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. It was transformative, unique and deeply spiritual. I will never forget it. Also, it was stunning.
T+L India: Your bucket list destination?
Mozez Singh: Papua New Guinea.
Related: Women On The March: Author Karuna Ezara Parikh On How Travel Influences Her Writing
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