Thrill ride
Where did the idea for Keshav Pandit originate?
I was sitting with my writers and discussing the concepts that we could work on when one of them made a startling statement. He said that we didn't know about the audience likes and dislikes. When I asked him what that meant, he asked me if I had heard about Keshav Pandit who was a very famous character from Ved Prakash Sharma's novels. I was floored when I heard the stories because the stories are like TV in literary form.
How did you go about getting the rights and permissions?
I was thrilled and decided to make a television show on Keshav Pandit. I traced the writer Ved Prakash Sharma and called him for a narration. Later we got the rights and got it on television. I wanted to get it to TV because this story needed to be told. People in Mumbai hardly knew about Ved Prakash Sharma and his characters.
Why did you think of casting Sarvar Ahuja to play the lead role of Keshav Pandit?
Before taking on Sarvar we had a lot of discussions. Sarvar was a Zee talent hunt winner and we wanted a face that would be enigmatic yet rooted. And Sarvar fits the bill perfectly. He had to look like an innocent boy from Allahabad who goes to jail.
Will all the episodes be based entirely on the stories?
Most of the stories will be same and will be taken from the book, but we will change the screenplay as per requirement.
How did you zero in on Santram Verma to direct the show?
The show has a very 70's kitsch look, a la Deewaar style, male machismo look. When I thought of this show, no other name sprang up in my head. I couldn't think of anyone else but Santram.
Why did you choose to air Keshav Pandit on Zee?
I started my career with Hum Paanch in Zee so I have a great rapport with the people here. When I wanted to make Keshav Pandit, the very first channel I thought of was Zee. The kind of mass-appeal the channel has is perfect for the show. Zee and Keshav Pandit make a lethal combination. I am honoured that the channel accepted the show.
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