As producer u learn... - Smriti Irani

'As producer you learn to connect with your boss'

Smriti Irani is learning the ropes of her new job

Smriti Irani

Aditi Jayakar Kane

Smriti Irani who has turned producer with her own television soap on Star Plus, Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman, sounds both nervous and excited as the first episode went on air on August 19.

And she is receiving feedback from all quarters. "We've had people calling from distant villages, from different sections of the society and from all age groups, so it's quite heartening," she says. "Technically, this show is shot in a different pattern so there's a huge risk involved. But we've gone ahead with our gut instincts and with the approval of the best creative heads. Hopefully, it should work."

Doesn't the show highlight how a common man deals with governmental policies? "I would like my show to be seen and discovered rather than talk about it myself. It's not about any particular topic. I can best describe it as a reality show done the Ekta Kapoor way. It is socially relevant and has an element of drama and deals with daily situations that people face," she says.

"Ekta, Shailaja Kejriwal (senior creative head of Star), Kamlesh Pandey (scriptwriter) and I sat together and reached a concept that was an amalgamation of different elements that would cut across every class and age group. We wanted something that mostly everyone could connect to."

How does the actor feel now that she's made the leap to production? "It's not been a sudden jump," says Smriti. "I started with producing two plays. They have been doing well for the past two years. While producing the plays, I also had to look after the behind-the-scenes activities—scripts, camera, costumes, editing, lights, et al. As an actor, you only look after your own work. As a producer, you're responsible for the entire team. It needs a lot of co-ordination and is very challenging," says Smriti.

Why did Smriti choose to co-produce the show with Balaji when she could do it herself? "Ekta knew I was pursuing Star and asked if we could do something together? Who can refuse Ekta? So I agreed. I have full freedom to choose the technical team and the actors that I want and every other aspect of production. Then Ekta gives her approval and after that we go ahead. But when people ask me whether I'll continue co-producing my shows with Balaji, I say no, as I have produced my plays independently and they have been successful ventures," she says.

All the same, is Smriti more at ease with acting or with production? "Kyunkii… is a very comfortable place for me. It's entirely Ekta's baby where she looks after the sets and costumes. But with production you learn to connect more with your boss. Even now when I'm acting in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman, I think like a producer and wonder if my actors have had their lunch, whether the next set is being organised and so on."

So will Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman become as popular as Kyunkii…? "Kyunkii… was a landmark show." says Smriti. "No other show in the last six years has enjoyed that kind of mass popularity and generated so much hysteria. I've heard people in Middle-East, London and Australia are crazy about it. We'll have to wait and see if that can be repeated."

Cool stuff. I must say, She is absolutely right! TSZTSA is a breath of fresh air!