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"One person's presence or absence cannot make or mar an event"
Shashi and Anu Ranjan have been conducting television awards under the aegis of Indian Television Academy for six years now. The scale of this exercise has grown by leaps and bounds with entries increasing every year. It is making their job more cumbersome but Shashi is not complaining. "I am happy that the TV business is growing. It's a healthy sign," he smiles despite courting a controversy this year ... This time your awards got mired in controversy with Ekta Kapoor claiming that Kasamh Se got all the awards because your award show was to be aired on Zee...
If that's the case how come Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi got the award for best teleplay or two of her other serials bagged the best supporting and negative actor awards. These are baseless arguments. And why is she talking for STAR? Is she a representative of the channel? Incidentally, STAR Network bagged 27 awards. I think it is wrong on her part to drag STAR into it. She has been quoted as saying that despite being in the city she didn't come to your function because she was irked with the nominations...
I can only say one thing. One person's presence or absence cannot make or mar an event. And if he/she thinks that he/she is above the entire industry, all I would like to say is 'get well soon'. A day after your awards, there was another telly award. What do you have to say about that?
I can only comment on my awards function and I had the best turnout. 8000 people turned up for the event and 500 were film and TV celebrities. It's six years since you started the event. Have you made any changes?
We were the first ones to create a platform for the television industry to come under one roof. Initially, we held it at a five star hotel with 1200 people turning up for the event. At that time we had only 40 categories. Since then we have increased the categories to 60 and now we are holding the event on a ground. It is as big as a film awards function. Talking about film awards, do you think organising a TV event is more cumbersome?
Yes it is very cumbersome. The TV industry has grown by leaps and bounds, and the entries are steadily increasing every year. This year we had 2700 entries from 360 production houses. It is extremely time-consuming for the jury to watch each and every show. All the same I am very happy that the business of TV is growing. What I feel is a healthy fatigue.
How difficult or easy is it to get TV stars to perform?
We look at stars who are popluar and have the capacity to perform. So far, we have had no problems getting them. In fact, the stars look forward to participating in the function. It is amazing that even after a 12-hour shoot they rehearse till 4 or 5 in the morning. Have the stars become pricey now?
It is obvious that as time goes by, everyone asks for higher prices. Today TV stars are in demand as they are doing commercials and shows. More arenas have opened for them but we were the first ones to show the light. Even our magazine Gr8 gives these stars a larger than life image. Do you think people are so curious about the lives of TV stars that they would love to watch a show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai devoted to them?
Yes, Jeena... is an extension of our idea to give TV stars a platform and larger than life image. They are household names and people obviously want to know more about them. Our episode with Rohit Roy was very good and the one with Rakhi Sawant garnered high ratings. However, the future episodes will not be restricted to TV stars only. We will have a mix of celebrities from other fields like sports. How did you zero in on Roshan Abbas for the show? Did you approach Farooque Shaikh?
Farooque Shaikh had finished his quota of episodes. As for Roshan Abbas, we were looking for someone who was comfortable with the Hindi language and most importantly had the ability to make the guests comfortable. And Roshan has it. If you've watched the episodes you will see that there have been tears and laughter on the show. The celebrities have let down their inhibitions and that is Roshan's achievement. Are you planning any other show in the near future?
Yes. I am producing another programme which is based on the TV industry. Talks are on with the channel and soon it will be on air. There's been a lull after your film Dobara...
No, I am planning to start a film soon. Currently, I am just working on it. It's a comedy and I will start shooting from January-February.
Shashi and Anu Ranjan have been conducting television awards under the aegis of Indian Television Academy for six years now. The scale of this exercise has grown by leaps and bounds with entries increasing every year. It is making their job more cumbersome but Shashi is not complaining. "I am happy that the TV business is growing. It's a healthy sign," he smiles despite courting a controversy this year ... This time your awards got mired in controversy with Ekta Kapoor claiming that Kasamh Se got all the awards because your award show was to be aired on Zee...
If that's the case how come Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi got the award for best teleplay or two of her other serials bagged the best supporting and negative actor awards. These are baseless arguments. And why is she talking for STAR? Is she a representative of the channel? Incidentally, STAR Network bagged 27 awards. I think it is wrong on her part to drag STAR into it. She has been quoted as saying that despite being in the city she didn't come to your function because she was irked with the nominations...
I can only say one thing. One person's presence or absence cannot make or mar an event. And if he/she thinks that he/she is above the entire industry, all I would like to say is 'get well soon'. A day after your awards, there was another telly award. What do you have to say about that?
I can only comment on my awards function and I had the best turnout. 8000 people turned up for the event and 500 were film and TV celebrities. It's six years since you started the event. Have you made any changes?
We were the first ones to create a platform for the television industry to come under one roof. Initially, we held it at a five star hotel with 1200 people turning up for the event. At that time we had only 40 categories. Since then we have increased the categories to 60 and now we are holding the event on a ground. It is as big as a film awards function. Talking about film awards, do you think organising a TV event is more cumbersome?
Yes it is very cumbersome. The TV industry has grown by leaps and bounds, and the entries are steadily increasing every year. This year we had 2700 entries from 360 production houses. It is extremely time-consuming for the jury to watch each and every show. All the same I am very happy that the business of TV is growing. What I feel is a healthy fatigue.
We look at stars who are popluar and have the capacity to perform. So far, we have had no problems getting them. In fact, the stars look forward to participating in the function. It is amazing that even after a 12-hour shoot they rehearse till 4 or 5 in the morning. Have the stars become pricey now?
It is obvious that as time goes by, everyone asks for higher prices. Today TV stars are in demand as they are doing commercials and shows. More arenas have opened for them but we were the first ones to show the light. Even our magazine Gr8 gives these stars a larger than life image. Do you think people are so curious about the lives of TV stars that they would love to watch a show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai devoted to them?
Yes, Jeena... is an extension of our idea to give TV stars a platform and larger than life image. They are household names and people obviously want to know more about them. Our episode with Rohit Roy was very good and the one with Rakhi Sawant garnered high ratings. However, the future episodes will not be restricted to TV stars only. We will have a mix of celebrities from other fields like sports. How did you zero in on Roshan Abbas for the show? Did you approach Farooque Shaikh?
Farooque Shaikh had finished his quota of episodes. As for Roshan Abbas, we were looking for someone who was comfortable with the Hindi language and most importantly had the ability to make the guests comfortable. And Roshan has it. If you've watched the episodes you will see that there have been tears and laughter on the show. The celebrities have let down their inhibitions and that is Roshan's achievement. Are you planning any other show in the near future?
Yes. I am producing another programme which is based on the TV industry. Talks are on with the channel and soon it will be on air. There's been a lull after your film Dobara...
No, I am planning to start a film soon. Currently, I am just working on it. It's a comedy and I will start shooting from January-February.
Have you finalised the cast?
No, but it will be a mix of fresh faces and established actors
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