"'Kasshish' talks about hearts, tears and deceit"
Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zarurat Hai, Teacher and Sparsh. He lets his work do the talking. After a sabbatical of almost three years, Ravi Rai is back and on with K Sera Sera Productions' next venture Kasshish to launch on Zee on 20 June. On the sets of Kasshish, he spoke to Sapana Patil in a freewheeling interview.
Ravi Rai: returns after a sabbatical
Tell us, where were you all these days? You're coming back with Kasshish after a long time?
Comeback sounds attacking. But my reason for being away was that I had no good assignments on hand. I didn't like the work I was offered. And when I came up with scripts, the channels didn't like it. To put it straight, the chord did not strike.
How did you spend time meanwhile?
I did all that I missed out on when I had a busy schedule. I read a lot, I did a lot of introspection.
Why do you direct only serials that deal with intense subjects?
I would love to direct a comedy or a thriller; which is in fact my forte. But I haven't been offered to direct different kind of serials. I believe since Sailaab, people have perceived that I can only direct serious serials. They have branded me with serious work.
In the serials that you have directed in the past, certain actors like Sachin Khedekar and Prajakti Deshmukh were common. Why are they not in Kasshish?
Actors grow professionally and personally. But a director's mind does not. My actors have grown a lot to play the characters of Kasshish. But I wish I had Renuka Shahane in my serial.
So, how did you decide upon the cast; Ayub Khan, Simone Singh and Kitu Gidwani?
Simone is a very sweet girl, a good human being and we vibe very well She had a little role to play in Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zarurat Hai seven years back. I have been in touch with Kitu also. I had spoken to her about two scripts earlier. But she didn't like it. Finally, one day Kasshish happened.
Mahesh Thakur and Aman Verma were also going to be a part of Kasshish. Are they doing Kasshish?
Mahesh is doing Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani. The channel does not repeat its actors. Aman was busy.
We live in an age of profits: Ravi Rai
Which amongst the actors that you have worked with has brought his character the best?
I hope I don't displease other actors. But frankly, Ayub Khan has come as a very big surprise. You watch the serial and you'll know what I am talking.
So what is Kasshish about?
In the years that I have lived, I have seen women growing leaps and bounds. They are honest and consolidating their image. Even today, a wife means a Tulsi or a Parvati. A wife meant showing the lady with plaited hair and long earrings. Similarly, the other woman meant a lady in minis. I wanted to change that portrayal. Because one doesn't fall in love with clothes or attire. One falls in love with a companion. Here I wanted to show a woman who is computer savvy, solves crosswords and is updated. Kasshish talks about hearts, tears and deceit. It has nothing to do with what one wears.
Will Kasshish be slow paced like Thoda… and Sparsh?
I don't work by pace meters. I don't set the pace. My actors set the pace.
Will Kasshish too have songs?
Yes. It has eight songs sung by the legend Jagjit Singh. These will also be available on audio systems.
Will your script remain intact or will fall prey to the TRPs?
I do not know. We live in an age where we talk profits, revenue. If a Satyajit Ray film does not work in an 8'0 clock slot, it will be pulled off. These days, everything comes with a price tag and it should sell. But if a change has to be made, it will look natural.
Kasshish is slotted against Kahiin To Hoga on Star Plus. Do you think the fact that Rajeev Khandelwal is replaced will help in pulling the viewer from Star Plus to Zee?
Content should be good. Secondly, Kasshish cannot be put against Remix. The channel has been thoughtful in slotting it at 11 pm. In this serial I am talking about 30 plus. It is slotted at a time when children retire to bed.
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