Balika Vadhu producer Sunjoy Waddhwa gets candid about Meri Bhavya Life, the leap trend, and more

Sunjoy Waddhwa, the visionary producer behind some of Indian television’s most memorable shows like Balika Vadhu, is now gearing up for his next big venture, Meri Bhavya Life, an upcoming drama on Colors.

In an exclusive interview with India Forums, Sunjoy opened up about his thoughts on storytelling formats, the importance of leaps in television narratives, and the evolving landscape of OTT versus traditional TV. From discussing when a leap is truly justified to sharing insights on how different platforms demand different approaches, he offered a candid and insightful take on content creation today.

With the on-air date just around the corner, how excited are you for Meri Bhavya Life?

Right now, we are very excited. And of course, we are very busy shooting because it's only two weeks left until we go on air. But yes, it's a very exciting subject, and we really like what we did earlier and what we are doing now. It is a little different. We are catering to a very different kind of subject, which is also very topical. So, there is a good sense of excitement among all of us.

You mentioned it's a unique and different topic. What was the thought behind bringing such a trending topic? Was it created with the intention of changing the mindset of the older generation, or was it especially made keeping the younger generation in mind?

This is right. See, the thing is, we have always been known for our shows that are socially relevant. Some social issues are heavier in nature, while others are more in-your-face in society. After doing a couple of shows with different social aspects, we thought it would be very interesting to bring this subject in front of the viewers because right now, we want to cater to people and show that individuality is the key. It's not about being fat, thin, dark, or coming from a particular place. The key thing is that one should be known, respected, and received as an individual. That is the objectivity of the show. Of course, the story caters to all age groups, but we are telling the story of young people—talented individuals who are part of society but face body shaming because of how they are. Many times, it's not even their fault. It's not just about being lazy; sometimes, there are other issues where it's actually not happening. But that should not mar one's individuality. So, that's where the mindset is coming from: giving a perspective and telling viewers a different kind of show with a compelling story where we emphasise that confidence and individuality matter most, and the rest doesn't.

Do you think the majority of viewers are now ready to accept such storylines, ones that go beyond the usual saas-bahu dramas or love triangles? Because whenever such themes have been introduced in the past, they often struggle to grab viewers' attention and mostly go off-air quite soon.

We went ahead with this when the channel discussed the idea with us because we liked it. The idea is good, and we are telling a story of a family. We are telling today's story with youth as a prominent part of it. So, we liked all these aspects. Frankly, we didn't really think about whether it would work or go off-air. If you think about those things before making a show, then I don't think that's the right way to approach it. If we had been scared of how people would react when we made Balika Vadhu, which took on huge issues, it would have never made history. The point is, we like the show, and we are making it because we think it's the right time. And yes, we have attached a compelling story to it, which is our main job. After that, we leave it up to the viewers.

You've been part of this industry for a long time and have seen it evolve. What do you think is the major reason behind Colors not topping the TRP charts anymore? Earlier, shows like Balika Vadhu dominated the ratings, but now it seems to be lagging behind.

There are many things connected to this. I wouldn't talk about any one channel specifically, but even when channels go through ups and downs like any other business and, it is a part of the industry. There are a lot of factors at play, and it's not just about storytelling. We form a part of the storytelling aspect, and we give good content; now, there are other aspects, like broadcasting or channel level, which can contribute to various reasons why a network may be going through fluctuations. In the past 20 years, if you have noticed, the TRPs across all channels have gone up and down. So, I don't think we should focus on one particular network, as this happens with everyone. I meant, at one point, we were very high.

There seems to be a constant trend of shows taking leaps. What are your thoughts on this trend?

My thought is that when you come to a point where a leap is important, then it is necessary to do it, especially when the story reaches a point where it needs to move to the next level with new characters.

But if the leap is taken just for the sake of refreshing the show or making a spike in viewership, I don't think so is needed. See, you can take it, but then, on a holistic and larger level, it might or it might not work.

We have always tried that you reach a certain point, and now we say, "This is the next level." It's like that. It's like putting Season 2 into your show.

So when you take a leap, like you think that my story has reached a certain level, if I bring in these characters, then we're going to go and tell another kind of compelling story which will go on for a longer time, then it is very important. Then it is fine.

But if we're just saying, "Okay, in the beginning, if one feels that the story is not there," and then we do this, and then after a couple of months we do the leap and all that, then one needs to think— yes, you need to first check how much story you have when you start the show.

You have also been producing for OTT. How is that different from television?

The biggest difference is the format. On television, you are talking about 5-7 days a week, whereas on OTT, it's completely different. You have 6 or 7 episodes, and going forward, there's a possibility of even longer formats with 15-20 episodes. OTT allows for stories that you may not be able to tell on general entertainment channels (GEC). I feel OTT is an addition; it is something along with GEC.

Certain products you can make as eight episodes, and certain products you can make as 300 episodes. OTT caters to those films or shows that are like little extended films—like you do eight episodes of 40 minutes. It's like making, let's say, two films or so, you know, into those number of episodes. And that's a different kind of storytelling. So, I just feel it should be taken as two verticals rather than competition. This is what I feel.

Together, Sunjoy and Comall Waddhwa have played a pivotal role in shaping Indian television storytelling through their banner Sphereorigins. With an impressive lineup of successful shows like Balika Vadhu, Pandya Store, Saat Phere, and Saraswatichandra, the duo has consistently delivered content that resonates with audiences across generations. Their commitment to blending socially relevant themes with strong narratives continues to define their creative legacy, and with Meri Bhavya Life, they are all set to bring yet another compelling story to the small screen.