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| I'm difficult | |||
| Harneet Singh I never thought it would be like this. Normally, a film either gets critical acclaim or financial gains. I'm happy we managed both with this film. I'm happier since the success of the film had nothing to do with me. I mean, when do we get the chance to get good things done for us? So this has nothing to do with your much-touted Midas touch? All these are scary labels that we should never fall for. These labels take away my identity of being a television producer. I'm just doing a job. The way they make me sound is as if I'm the king of a kingdom. Just because I've a few successful shows doesn't mean I need to have cat whiskers. So you feel you are just another producer and not a TV czarina? Exactly. I especially feel like it when a show like Kahani Teri Meri, which had a better story and production values, is rejected by the audience. That's like a slap in the face. Basically, it's the same mind that is thinking of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Krishna Cottage. The only difference is in the way the viewer is reacting which is not at all in my hands. So how can I take any credit for it? Are you saying that you never feel like the most powerful force of television industry? The journey of life has taught me that power is not in my hands. I can only try and deliver good software. Then its up to the Almighty to make it work. But is power important to you? Of course it is! At the end of the day, I'm a human being so I do have my flaws. It is a weakness. I've no qualms in saying that I want everyone to look at me when I enter a room.
When I'm sitting down and creating characters. That's a different kind of power because for me my characters are real people and I relish the power to make them come alive, kill them and place them in weird situations. Out of all the characters you've created which have been your favourite? I like quite a few of them. Among the guys, I like Rishabh Bajaj of Kasauti Zindagi Kay and Jai Walia of Kasamh Se. Of the girls, I like Komolika, Bani and Prerna. You have a reputation of being a difficult boss. Do you agree? Well I'm difficult and rude. I believe that television is my domain and that it is my responsibility to give the best content and TRP to the channel and the viewers. I have my own style of working and sometimes I do lose my temper especially when I feel that people are not working as hard as I am. So all these stories of you breaking cellphones of your teammates are true? Yes, I break cellphones. But that's because I break my head trying to deliver good stuff and when I don't get the same commitment from my team then in order to show my anger and helplessness I do all this. I take personal interest in my work, I don't take holidays and I expect everyone who works with me to have the same standards of working. What is the philosophy of Balaji Telefilms? We expect a lot from people and we expect people to get a lot out of us. Its quite simple, I want to grow and I want my team to grow with me. But you do realize that your team is very scared of you? Of course I realize it and to be honest I don't mind it. It usually works in my favour. If my team does better work because they feel ki ma'am episode dekhegi then its good. You see, having five prime time shows is a huge responsibility. Seven years back I fainted when I got a prime time slot for Koshish: Ek Aasha. So I can't take all this lightly. Which shows have been creatively most satisfying for you? Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , Kahin Toh Hoga, Koshish and Kehna Hai Kuch Mujhko. Which of your actors is indispensable? Smriti Irani, Sakshi Tanwar… all the women leads are indispensable. And what is the status with Smriti Irani? First of all I want to clarify that we didn't have any fight. Kyunki is Smriti's property and she will always be a part of it. She requested to have some time off and we gave it to her. What's your next big dream? To tread the uncharted territory of reality and regional programming. I want to make niche programming more innovative. We're also getting into merchandizing of religious products and have come up with Ekta's Karyasiddhi Graha Shanti Dhoop, which is an essence stick replete with all ingredients of a havana. My personal focus for the next five years will be on churning out quality television software for Dubai, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. My mama, Ramesh Sippy will look after the film division. |
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