Aparajita Sharma: RBO Writer's Interview
StarOne has always been known for its youth shows and its hit jodis. Rang Badalti Odhni that airs on the channel at the 10:00 pm slot is fast catching up with the youngsters and adults alike. The cute love story between Shaan and Khanak, who fall in love after being forced into marriage by circumstances, is being greatly appreciated by one and all.
We decided to talk to the writer of the show in order to find out how they came about writing this beautiful love saga. Aparajita Sharma is sweet and friendly, and when you interact with her you know why the suave Shantanu is so much fun and little Khanak is naughty and chulbuli and how breathing life into these characters is not hard for this team of writers.
She not only talks about the show, but she also throws some light on how a story from the writer finally reaches an actor, and then onto the TV screen!
The Creative Team of Odhni actually Comprises of three screen-writers Damini Shetty, Aparajita Sharma and Raj Shetty, but owing to their hectic schedules we managed to convince Aparajita to do this for us. Over to her.
1. The show started off with a very rural feel to it, and today, it has the look of an urban suave love story. Was the transition deliberate and pre-planned?
Aparajita: I think, this question is for Damini to answer, because she's the one who has stayed with the show since the beginning... J
2. Will you ever show Shaan repenting for the fact that he was responsible for Suraj's death? The only sequence we ever saw was the one where he was drunk telling her he didn't mean it!
Aparajita: That sequence also saw him apologize to Khanak repeatedly as she breaks down and cries. So, he has apologized and after that, when Shaan invites Khanak for a date. Khanak turns to Gopi and asks her if she should forgive Shaan for Sooraj's death. I think, that Shaan has been blamed enough, and now that Khanak has found it in her heart to forgive him, we should all move forward. what say? J
3. Do u plan to make the not highly educated yet smart and intelligent girl Khanak become a successful business woman with Shaans help and be an example that nothing can prevent one from becoming successful if he/she works hard. Or will she remain to be a kitchen queen?
Aparajita: Yes, Khanak is the kitchen queen, but she is so much beyond that. She is Shaan's inspiration, the voice in his head and more than anything, right now, she is his best friend. It might be quite a leap of faith if we get into her being a business woman, because apart from the obvious, that she is not qualified, she is also a person who thinks from the heart. She is as impulsive, if not more, as Shaan himself. But it's an idea that we can put forward in the Story session, maybe Jay(Verma-The story writer) would have another point of view... J
4. The romance between Shaan and Khanak, popularly now known as 'Shanak' has been greatly appreciated! How does it feel when what you visualize becomes a hit with the audience?
Aparajita: It surely feels great, I mean, I'm sure I have my team's vote on this as well; which woman would not want people to do what she tells them to?! I think, Damini and I feel pretty awesome about ourselves when that happens, yes.. (I mean, what's the point of being humble. Not like a TV writer is interviewed every day, right! J But I would like to mention our dialogue writers, Shilpa and Swati here as well. After all, without their words, Shaan and Khanak would have nothing to say to each other!! J
5. This is the only show on StarOne where there are three screenwriters for one show! How do you manage to flawlessly coordinate your team work and make it look like a fine product by the end of the day?
Aparajita: That credit goes to the Story Writer Jay Verma for giving us situations that flow into one another and the Creative Director Sandeep Nair for keeping us on track whenever we try to stray! J
6. Do you think Odhni would have earned a higher TRP had it been slotted at an earlier time slot?
Aparajita: Wow! You guys sure think about stuff in great detail. Frankly speaking, I don't know!! That's a question to be put across to the Creative Team of Star One (Ms. Nikita Dhondh). (It's too technical for a writer, you know!)
7. How do TRP's affect the consistency in tracks?
Aparajita: Let's say, TRPs are the consistency in tracks!! J We do get time to play out a drama or comic angle every once in a while, but yes, any larger story track is always affected by TRPs. If the audience does not want to see it, we don't show it (not that abruptly of course, we try to sow in some other track in order to phase the unwanted out)... It's like McDonald's really... We dish out what you order!! J
8. Will the scene ever shift back to Dhulwadi?
Aparajita: There are two reasons that I would want to avoid this question or any other that you ask me about what's going to happen ahead in the show.One, I don't want to give away anything; and two, I don't really know! J But you're right, Dhulwadi would give a lot of colour to the show. May be Shaan's bonding with Khanak's family the way that Khanak has made her way into the hearts of the city dwellers. Again, this is over to Jay for comment! J
9. RBO is one show, which has no big "TV Soap drama"! How do you intend taking the drama forward now, once the much awaited "confession" happens between the lead couple?
Aparajita: Wow, you want to know everything immediately, but that's the whole point of Television. Every half an hour, we bring the audience to a point where they ask a question about our shows, and then, the next day, they ask the very same question again!! (LOL) J Wait for it, guys... Monday to Friday @ 10 pm, Star One!
10. Scenes between the lead actors on the show look effort less. So do you, write scenes keeping the actor in mind, or do you go purely by the character graph?
Aparajita: Television writing is a tricky job. We do it according to us, and then if it doesn't come together, we blame it on the people on the set J("the director just didn't get it", or, "the actors don't read the script or what!") But when it does come together, like it has with Odhani, we like to take credit and say, 'of course, we do, we take care of everything!' But that's not true. J We take into account the script, the character graph and the story that comes to us. TV is a well-oiled machine; it works because all the cogs are in place.
Story writer writes the story, the screenplays are divided amongst us, and then the screenplay draft (subject to approval and feedback from the channel) then goes to the dialogue writers. And to keep the script and execution at the same level comes in one very important person called the Creative Director (in this case, Mr. Sandeep Nair). It is because of the CD's heroic efforts that the script and the execution match. Of course, everybody on the sets does a fantastic job to make a show like this work. J
11. Odhni and Geet were brought in as an attempt to change the branding of shows on StarOne, but today their flavour is very much akin to a DMG, an MJHT, except that they are the only lead on the channel that are married! Don't you think you have digressed from the initial theme?
Aparajita: Yes we have. And might I add, that it is deliberate. The point is, that we realised we are cheating the Star One audience when we go into a soapy zone. Isn't it much better to do what one is good at, than to try and achieve something that might or might not be up our alley? I think, it is. So, three cheers to being the number one Romantic Comedy channel to Star One. J
12. Romantic Moments are a rage on StarOne- do you write an episode keeping in mind that the audience may not tune in if there is no romantic scene in an episode?
Aparajita: It is going to be tough to write a rom-com without romantic scenes, now, wouldn't it? JIt's the show that drives the writing as much as the writing driving the show.
13. Some fans feel the recent comedy and bickering between the leads has resulted in lack of intensity in their romance. You take on this.
Aparajita: Shaan and Khanak are friends. At least, I feel that their romance should be like they are. If it were Geet and Maan, it would have been different (and is!) but Shaan and Khanak are the cute friends-cum-lovers that like to fight and make up. It's their "thing"! J And, frankly, I like it!! So yeah, even if it does take away from intensity, it gains hugely on understanding and comfort. I mean, who wouldn't want to be in such a relationship?!! The "I know what you're going to do next and I'm already laughing at it" zone of friendship, the comfort of being able to tell each other almost anything and the inherent...
"Khanak: Do what I tell you to.
Shaan: No, I won't.
Khanak: Do it.
Shaan: Not even to save my own life.
Khanak: Okay, don't, I don't care!
Shaan: Please tell me what to do!!"
...attitude between the two is always a winner for me. To me, that is their romance. We could go into depths of emotions but right now, they are just enjoying each other. I think, we should let them, at least for a while! J
14. Is there likelihood for the 10 rupee note to appear? The one that Khanak gave to the kid on their first journey. If yes, are you reserving it's appearance for a bigger moment, when there could possibly be a big misunderstanding between Shanak?
Aparajita: You've said it all. J Watch out for it!
15. Would you like to interact with us more often through this platform? Please leave us a message for your fans.
Aparajita: I would love to, after all, who does not like attention!! J J And my message to the viewers would be that please don't ignore Odhani! Tell us whatever you feel about it. We will try that your point of view is taken into consideration in whatever capacity possible. And, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, for giving us your time and your emotions. We will try and do a better job every day so that it makes you guys happy! J J
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