TT-Gul Khan(Producer GHSP) Interview

We have met many Directors from the industry during our Directors Segment,but this meeting will stay fresh in our memory, especially since it was a very unconventional one.

We were invited to the J.W. Marriot to have a cup of Coffee with the Lady while we chatted away like any three normal people who met and bonded over a Television Show.

We were all the more excited before the interview since this was "the" opportunity we had to know all that we ever wanted to know about the maker herself & her journey into the Television industry. She having directed some hit shows like Sanjeevani and Shaheen and later venturing into Production was a further fascination. Dressed casually working on her laptop in a Coffee shop, Gul Khan greeted us like she always knew us.

When we talked about what a huge phenomenon Geet had become, Gul just smiled. She perhaps knew that a line or a sentence would not sum up or explain what the show and its response has done to them as a Production House.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Gul Khan for doing an exclusive interview with Telly Tadka that went on for almost an hour. We did not edit anything since we wanted viewers to enjoy reading every moment of her journey as much as we did when talking to this Talented Maker. So make way for the first part of our interview with Gul Khan - Producer 4Lion Films, who has delivered a CULT show like Geet-Hui Sabse Parayi on Star One and now awaiting the launch of their new show "Iss Pyaar ko kya naam Doon .." on Star Plus from 6th June 2011.

On behalf of Telly Tadka, we wish 4Lion Films and the entire Cast and Crew of the show Best of Luck!!!!!

Beginning of the journey into Television and Entertainment industry….

The Entertainment industry is where I have always wanted to be ever since I was a child. At 14 I knew I wanted to be a Director and would record the show "Fauji" that used to be telecasted those days and would watch every shot minutely. With time this passion only got stronger and even today my family and friends get amazed at the way I have managed to pursue my dreams.

Those days of Struggle…

Way back in 1996-97 when I came to Bombay, there were not many female Directors. In fact even now there are just a handful of them. The industry also was at its nascent stage. So it definitely was a struggle. To add to this, my family was not in favour of my decision either, so I would tell them that I am in Delhi, while I would actually be in Bombay pursuing my dream. Even though it may sound very clich today, those initial days of struggle were really tough since I had no job, no place to stay nor money to buy food sometimes even. I remember my roommate and I would buy bread and have bread pudding for dinner. We lived in a chawl since we were working as assistants and were not very highly paid. Then slowly from an Assistant Director, I became a Director & finally a Producer. So I guess it's the passion that drives you to live through such phases.

My first assignment came in the form of Boogie Woogie(Sony TV) where I assisted Naved. Thereafter I independently directed shows like Shaheen, Rishtey, Panah, Sanjeevani . I have written most of the shows that I have directed. I then took a break for six years as I moved out of country.

Challenges of being a lady Director….

Wanting to become a Director being a lady definitely hasn't been easy. The moment you say you want to become a Director, since you are a girl, the first thing that is handed over to you is costumes while all the other male Assistant Directors get to do a whole lot of other things. Initially I would get very offended but never disheartened. Outdoor locations would generally not be equipped to cater to the basic requirements of female crew. So often I would have to travel from the set to the nearest building in search of a washroom. Returning home after late night shoots was a problem but we had to manage nevertheless since I was living away from home.

Even later, when it's a woman handling a job like that of being a Director there is a tendency to not take you seriously. This becomes a big hurdle at times. Also when you are good at your work, guys easily get threatened by you. One needs to learn to balance all these things the right away.

Then and now ….

Oh!!! Times have changed now! The Television industry is now practically owned by women, be it the Channel Head, the Executive Producers, the Creative Directors or Producers. The focus audience on TV has always been women, being a woman myself, I believe it is easier to conceive ideas and emotions that are close to our heart. Besides, women today are way more career-oriented and do their job brilliantly.

Do you think writing your own shows & then directing them makes work simpler for you & how?

Yes, to an extent. I definitely feel more comfortable while directing a show that is conceived and written by me, since I am well versed with the story, the characters and there is no room for confusion with regards to the thought process that goes into putting the show together.

On venturing into Production

After Direction I guess Production was a logical progression. We wanted to do more shows and hence thought of starting our own Production House and that's how 4Lions came into existence. Moreover being a Producer gives you more creative control as you can design, conceive, produce and do more than one show at a time.

When you Directed shows like Sanjeevani, there were a lot of other shows that had high voltage drama. Did you ever think there was a risk involved in making a show like Sanjeevani back then?

Not really since the ratings of the show actually picked up after the channel showed interest in venturing into the new and different kind of story telling. The romance track really worked with the audience as the TRPS rose as high as 12-13 at one point in time. We also had an advantage that our show was telecasted only once a week while other soaps were dailies.

Your inspiration

Well I get inspired from everything be it life's experiences, reading or even watching films.

Shows you like watching

I generally watch a lot of English shows. I really like David D Keller. Boston Legal and Alley Mc Beal are other favourites'. In comedy Friends is the best and tops the list, then there is Two and Half Men, 30 rock, Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City. I like all shows you guys like, perhaps that is why we connect.

Season System in Indian TV

We would love to make seasonal shows. However Indian telecast and satellite doesn't work that way. We don't have the budgets that suit that format of storytelling. Once a show does well we don't want to end it. There are a whole lot of other factors that come into play. So, though all the producers would like to make seasonal shows the control not in our hands.

Your Favorite Director

There are so many. I really like Karan Johar. The look, the emotion and everything he presents is so beautiful. I would like to make movies like him.

Your kinda Movies

Again there are lots of them. Two weeks' Notice is definitely a favourite.

One sequence you loved conceiving as a maker.

I totally love my heros, heroines meeting for the first time and fighting. They always hate each other. My heroes are always arrogant, and my heroines are very quirky. I love reading Mills and Boons and that reflects in my shows as well.

On Making Movies

If I were to make a movie it would be Romance definitely. I already have my first film script that I am trying to make. Whenever it happens it will be a romantic comedy.

Three things u want to change about the TV industry.

We would like to make shows in seasons.

We could definitely do with higher budgets.

There could be better production platforms.

Part Two of the Interview on her Geet-Hui Sabse Parayi and her views on the current track, fan participation, various show related discussions coming up soon...

Niharika Vidya Sagar

Swati Ghosh

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