Producer Shobana Desai talks about Hamari

Producer Shobana Desai talks about Hamari Devrani, her new soap on Star Plus
How different is it from existing soaps?
Given the fact that most TV audiences are housewives, we have to make family oriented content. So don't expect any revolutionary changes, but rest assured, our presentation will be different. This Star Plus daily show deals with interpersonal relations of the five bahus of the Nanavati clan. How these women try to control their new Devrani, is what the story is all about. The five bahus are negative but you will not hate them. Their antics will be such that you will return day after day, just to see what stunt they pull next.
A major aspect, which separates all my shows from the myriad other family sagas is that our woman remain with their husbands till the very end. I try to show what really happens in society. Tell me in which family do you see multiple affairs going on like other shows portray. Why have you taken only new actors?
Research shows that audiences like to connect with new people. Established stars have been over exposed. Take a look at my shows across the board. I have given the industry so much talent in the name of Perizaad Zorabian(Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye) Apara Mehta(Ek Mahal) Surbhi Tiwari(Shagun). I am sure that this new lot will shine as well. Is it a comedy ?
We have been given a brief by the channel to keep it humorous and simple. Having said that I would prefer to make bold content for women in the afternoon for they are then free to watch as nobody is around. It gets difficult to watch such stuff at prime times when the entire family is there. And given our cultural background, parents don't encourage girls to see such programmes. But as a producer don't you want to explore themes beyond family?
I am more than willing but the audiences for such programmes is very fickle. They don't switch in regularly. What was the fate of Star One which tried to go beyond the mundane? Daily soap loyal audiences are those women who have no other option but to sit in front of the telly every evening. You seem to make only Gujarati oriented shows?
Says who? my first show Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka was based on a Gujarati family. But then over the last 13 years, I have made scores of other shows such as Shagun, Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye and Durgesh Nandini. I agree my last show, Thodi Khusi Thoda Gum again had Gujju back drop. Most of your shows have not succeeded.
Ek Mahal... ran for over 1000 episodes. Even Thodi Khushi... had a 350 episode stint. Some shows may not have got TRP success, but there are other factors which go into making TRPs. Honestly speaking, I don't buy the funda of TRPs, nobody know how they come to their figures. What went wrong with Durgesh Nandini...?
The story was changed mid-way. And Sony itself is going through a experimentation phase. They take off shows at the drop of a hat. For instance, Kulvadhhu and more recently Tujhko Salam Zindagi. Comparatively, Durgesh.. running for 250 episodes was good. Each channel has a different philosophy. Star Plus sustains their shows. I am quite happy that they have given me lots of creative liberty, while making Hamari Devrani. Are you thinking in terms of venturing into reality space?
I have been called a daily soap queen for I first started this genre with Ek Mahal Ho.... As for non fiction, it's not easy as the market is full of them. Where are the new concepts? But as a producer I would want to try my hand, if something interesting comes along.

http://www.screenindia.com/news/New-dimension-to-family-saga /316153/