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An engineer by academics, Ved Raj is the youngest and the most enthusiastic script writer in the industry. He is currently penning five shows for two big channels. He is writing for Saath Nibhana Saathiya (Star Plus), Ek Dusre Se Kartey Hai Pyaar Hum(Star Plus), Iss Pyaar Ko Mein Kya Naam Doon (Star Plus), Phir Subah Hogi andMrs Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein on Zee TV. But each and every show which he is attached to is different from each other and none of the storylines are similar.

In 'Behind the Lens' section, we get you the life of the multi-tasker genius whose life revolves around the world of television.

How did your journey in this industry begin?

Born in Gorakhpur, I was brought up in Hindalco township in Renukoot (Uttar Pradesh). After that I did my graduation in Electrical Engineering from Nagpur and then I finished my post graduation in Mass Communication from Pune. Always wanting to become a writer, I bagged my first show with Balaji Telefilms.

It was I who wrote Kavyanajali for Star Plus. From there, my association with Star Plus began and I started writing shows for them. Currently, I am conceptualising for five shows namely Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Ek Dusre Se Kartey Hai Pyaar Hum. Iss Pyaar Ko Mein Kya Mein Doon for Star Plus and Phir Subah Hogi and Mrs Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein for Zee TV

But, how do you mange to handle five big shows at the same time?

Well, I have a team under me who does the physical writing part. For every show, I have a team of writers. Every morning I discuss each episode with them for after which they start writing and mail the copy to me. Later, I go through it and after finalization of the same, mail the final copy to the production house. Later, the production house forwards it to the channel.

What is your nature of work?

I am the head script writer. I discuss a script with the channel episodically. And only if there is a major high point in the show, I talk to the channel head. Or else it is the same procedure. I don't interfere or interact with the actors; the production house deals with them. I sit in my office and co-ordinate with my team members.

That means that you are not aware about the entries and exits happening in the show?

(pauses) Though I do pen down each and every character, but the ultimate choice of the actors who formalize the cast is done my production house. I haven't heard anything of that sort about Barun Sobti leaving the show in Iss Pyaar Ko... If he does, I will do the necessary changes accordingly after meeting with the channel.

I discuss with the channel and not with the production house. Only if there's anything major, do I talk to them. When Giaa Maanek left the show (Saath Nibhana), I was told that she will be replaced. Let me tell you frankly, neither do I have any say nor do I show my favoritism on any one, who comes and goes. My job is to write scripts.

Does the production house give you any guideline?

Not every day, only if there is a TRP issue, that I have a word with the production people. Else, I know how each episode fares and write the story accordingly after discussing with my team.

Writing for five shows simultaneously must be taxing?

Well... that's my job. I have a team and I very well know each and every show and their story. I just give the basic plot and write for the episode; the dialogues are written by the dialogue writer. It becomes taxing when I have deadlines to meet. Though writing for five shows is a big task, but I still manage it well. I feel am blessed to have this quality. You can say that to write may be is in my DNA.

Do you take instances from the society?

Yes I do, I feel television shows should be based on instances from the society; we exaggerate the same to make it more dramatic. One can always say that half of the things on television are based on reality.

Do you change the scripts according to the TRPs?

Yes, many a times, we are supposed to get in entries, or chop out the drama and twist the plot.

Are you scared of competition with five shows on two different channels?

No, I never take a similar time slot. I make sure that I give justice to each and every show and do it very proficiently.

Which among all the shows you are doing is your favourite?

Well it depends, it keeps on changing. The most challenging one was Saathiya as I had to show kitchen drama, a drama based on aloo, mutter, sabzi etc. After that comes Iss Pyaar Ko… that is a love story, Mrs Kaushik… is again drama and very much realistic at that. Every single show has its own taste and flavour.

I love all my shows. I work equally on each of them. Ek Dusre is comedy as well as dramatic. There's nothing like favourite or least important.

How many hours do you put in altogether?

See, my work starts at 10 am in the morning, say from 10 to 1 pm, I work on Saath Nibhana Saathiya, after that comes Iss Pyaar Ko. Every day, I have a meeting as I write episodic-wise, very few shows have banks, at times there are sudden changes. So you can say that time isn't fixed for me.

Did you face any difficulty doing shows for two different channels?

No, from the very beginning when I did Kavyajangli with Star Plus, they have faith in me. For them, each and every single show is my brain child. Zee TV is also very helpful and supportive. More than that I love my job and I do what my nature of job is like. There is never a clash of Titans kind of situation for me.

How was it working with Balaji Telefilms?

See, every production house is different, in Balaji, generally Ekta Kapoor comes for the briefing and she deals with the channel. I must say I have learnt a lot from her.But for the shows in hand right now, I deal with the channels accordingly.

Have you ever faced any kind of actor tantrums?

No, it is just because I don't directly deal with the actors and am very much at my office doing my work. In between, I take time out for leisure.

Tell us something about your personal life?

I am happily married and I can very easily script issues, happiness, everything related to marriage. As I said earlier that I take instances from my surroundings. I love music, gymming, reading, writing and watch lots and lots of films. Even though I am busy writing five shows, I make sure never to miss my gym.

What are your future plans?

Touchwood, I am very happy with writing daily soaps on television and haven't faced any single issue till date. I do have deadlines to meet but am never troubled. God has been very kind to me. I am happy doing television and would love to continue doing this. Though doing movies is in my mind, but nothing as of now.

What is your five year plan?

Plans (laughs)...I don't plan; I take things as they come. I am a very restless person. From electrical engineering to scriptwriting, things have moved very fast for me. I don't know what future has in store for me.