Sanjay Leela Bhansali on his maiden television venture
How did you decide to venture into television?It has been in the pipeline for long, as TV has a huge audience. It was important to diversify, grow and see what it is that one could do on TV. I wanted to make a film on Saraswatichandra, but I decided to make a TV show instead. What also prompted me is that I have been told that films like Hum Dil De
Chuke Sanam or Devdas are the mothers of all serials. My movie has inspired so many shows on different aspects '" sets, clothes, styling and moments, mothers-in-law fighting and thalis flying. I am just bringing the same to television.
Why make a show based on a novel?
Viewers should be exposed to literature. Saraswati Chandra has all the ingredients for a serial. The book talks about values and ideologies. Ours is a more contemporary version to suit today's time and age.
Will you change the storyline of your show depending on the TRPs?
I am open to changes. The real battle begins when the TRPs start coming in. I am used to working hand-in-glove with the channel and they understand their market better. TRPs are scary. People are evaluating your work and determining its success. It can be nerve-wracking.
It's been in the making for so long. Why the delay?
It's been almost two years and many a time, I thought of dropping the idea. TV is a different and difficult medium. It has different demands and a different way of operating. You have to cater to your target audience. This is the first fiction show being made on such an ostentatious scale. The economics, casting and preparation were time consuming. But when the pilot received a positive response, our confidence was strengthened. Then the sets couldn't be erected because of the monsoon and there were other technical problems as well.
Is it true that you spent 1 crore on the pilot?
Yes, it is. But then, we wanted to give it all to the show. The channel was with us and now that we are through, I feel proud of having made this serial. I have never compromised on anything and this wasn't an exception either.
Are you prepared to face stiff competition?
Producers like Ekta Kapoor have been doing some incredible work on television. To match up to what she has achieved over the years, is not my agenda. She is arguably the reigning queen on television. It will be difficult to bring my mother out of her favourite soaps and get her hooked on to mine. There is no question of competing with her. All these producers are stalwarts and experienced in the business, I'm just starting off with a different kind of a show. It's not business for me. Can I connect with the larger audience with my vision? The show has to run for a couple of years depending upon the TRPs. Let's attempt it.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-19/tv/37161102_1_trps-tv-show-audience
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