Article:Director's Cut Rajan Shahi

by Meenakshi Shankar

Aug 25, 2008, Mumbai

"I still remember at the press conference announcing the launch of Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai, some members from the media asked me who the leading ladies were. I had, both Parul and Sara Khan with me on the podium. They were shocked and didn't know how to react to the girls. But I knew there was something about both these girls...something which would transform them into butterflies."

And Rajan Shahi's prophecy came true...

Poised as the Numero Uno show on television today, Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai launched on October 8, 2007. A simple yet intriguing story of two sisters faced with societal pressures because of their skin colour, the show has won accolades by the viewers in less than a year of its launch. What started off as a modest story of a beautiful girl, Sadhana (Sara Khan) whose beauty overshadows her sister, Ragini's (Parul Chauhan) dark complexion, Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai wove itself around a simple thread into a must watch destination making a dent on the Balaji ratings.

Speaking on the success of the show, Vivek Bahl, Sr. Creative Director, STAR Plus, said, "We are extremely humbled by the love and adulation extended by our viewers of Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai and it is their unending support that has made the show a huge success. We have always endeavored to offer our viewers a variety of concepts and will continue to strive in that direction. Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai promises to get more captivating in the time to come with an interesting plotline and new twists and turns".

Commenting further on the occasion, Rajan Shahi, Head, Director's Kut Productions, said, "The production of Bidaai has been an excellent experience. The success of Bidaai can be attributed to the hard work, sincerity and dedication of my team, star cast and STAR Plus".

In an exclusive chat with us, Rajan says, "I am not here to fight with anybody...neither am I here to set up camps." Diplomatically, he adds, "You cannot compare a one year show with an institution. Balaji is an institution. And they have been in the race forever."

Talking about his show, he credits the simplicity and the every day emotions as being the prime reason for the success. People like to watch simple concepts. They like to see a marriage of emotions and beautiful moments brought together to take the show

A veiled innuendo, if we were to read between the lines, for the showcases from the Balaji camp which have always been over the top when it comes to emotions. The producer chose to side step the question and refused to be drawn into controversies by stating, "I do what I do best. Every director, every producer, every actor, every treatment is different. It is wrong to compare."

But, comparisons are bound to happen when the channel and the production house chose to throw a star studded bash to celebrate the success of the show. The who's who of the television fraternity turned up to celebrate a success story.

A writing on the stone which was there for all to see...

With Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai, is Star Plus finally having a say 'creatively' on what a show should look like?

Going by Rajan Shahi's statement, "I have only executed Ravi Behl's creative vision." Speaking to the Creative head, who has navigated the turbulent waters and riding the helm of a successful show, Ravi Behl said, "I am very happy with the way Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai has taken shape. A simple concept always works extremely well."

Sticking to facts rather than feeding speculations, Ravi added, "Things are not sour between Balaji and Star. And, we have always had a say creatively in Balaji showcases. Yes, Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai was the first time we were experimenting in a different genre and the channel did sink their hands into the creative process. And I am very pleased with the outcome."

The channel and the production house are on a high. The show is the No.1 show on the GEC segment. For a cricket hungry nation, IPL took a back seat, and Bidaai continued to be tuned into its regular slot.

And there are already the right kind of murmurs floating around on the next new show from the production house...a showcase set against the backdrop of Rajasthan. Commenting on his new show, Rajan said, "I have full faith in the channel. When I launched Bidaai...I never asked them what is the time slot and for my upcoming show, I trust Ravi and Uday Shankar to choose the slot accordingly."

A new show coming from the Director's Kut left a chasm open for speculation as to which show would go off air