T&D talk abt new soap n more

Forward march!

Producer-director Deeya Singh speaks about her latest venture Left Right Left

Sapana Patil Poojary

The husband-wife duo of Deeya and Tony Singh make a great producer-director team. Their production house, DJ's A Creative Unit, has many hit serials to its credit, starting with Banegi Apni Baat, Love Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Just Mohabbat, Dil Se Dosti, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin and Jab Love Hua. Their new serial Left Right Left will be launched on Sab TV in July.

Why did you call your new serial Left Right Left?

Left Right Left is about six friends, who come to together for different reasons. The show represents young India and its concerns. And the title reflects the games that life plays on us—it makes us swerve left, right and then left again. We also wanted a cool title, not the usual clichs.

You are telecasting Left Right Left on Sab TV, a channel which is yet to establish its viewership.

When I launched my first show Banegi Apni Baat On Zee TV, nobody knew the channel at the time. In any case, if the show is good, people will watch it. I am taking it as a challenge to bring viewers to this channel. Sab TV is also helping us promote the show. What more can we ask for? Don't forget that this is my second show on Sab TV, the first was Love Mein Kabhi Kabhi.

By and large, you launch newcomers as protagonists in your shows. You are credited with giving breaks to many debutants.

That's right. The list of actors to whom we have given a break is endless. Even in Left Right Left, all the six characters are being played by beginners. I believe new faces add sparkle to the serial. Experienced actors are so exhausted that I can't take them unless I mould them into the role. More importantly, the actors should fit into the character.

Three of your shows, Just Mohabbat, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin and Jab Love Hua, begin with the letter J. Why?

It's only a co-incidence. We had thought of Pyar, Mohabbat and All That until Kunal Dasgupta (CEO of Sony) suggested Just Mohabbat. As for Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin it just had to be that title as it means there's simply no one like Jassi.

Initially, you made shows for the youth, but later shifted to unconventional serials and now you are again focusing on the youth.

Doing different types of serials is our company policy. Thus, we take considerable time to launch a serial and avoid churning out serials year after year as they don't reflect the characters well. We also do a lot of research. Interestingly, every serial we make is slightly autobiographical. For instance, I believe there is a little bit of Jassi in me. Tony and I can relate to Left Right Left because we both are from Defence backgrounds.

Your first serial Banegi Apni Baat was rather bold at the time.

It's not a deliberate step. It's about being real. I want to tell it like it is. There is no question of holding back anything. We will show whatever is right for the character.

Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin got criticised for being stretched unduly.

Jassi… may have been criticised but people are watching and enjoying its re-runs. Frankly, I hadn't decided how long to run it or how to avoid deviating from the plot. This concept has the ability to pull the show. Life and work is all about learning, let's see what happens, I am ready to flow with the tide.

What is the subject of your next serial?

I can't reveal that now. But it's not a youth show.