The man behind the success of shows like Saans, Star Bestsellers, Rajdhani and Kora Kagaaz.

My Perspective on the years gone by

At the broad level, we have moved from a monopoly to the choice of the consumer. Over a period of time, the choice that the consumer has made is clearly the satellite channels instead of DD. A lot of DD's earlier success was based on the fact that it was the only channel and a lot of it was also within a viewing block. There was really no concept of a primetime and the pubcaster was really trying to satisfy everybody.

In the position of a public broadcaster, a lot of great programming was thrown up like Tamas and Discovery of India. Now, in today's scenario the consumer is chasing quality otherwise why should he/she be spending time on the show. So, from a monopoly viewership we've moved on to a variety being offered to viewers. So today one could just tune in to Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or a Star or Sony whatever the case maybe.

But the other fallout is that programming like Tamas could happen because the public broadcaster does take an initiative. Also, one has to remember that a great work of art is produced when the artist is unfettered by economic considerations. And if creativity is more skewed towards the commercial element, the success of the show then it would be skewed towards the populist. So, after satellite television came in programming has moved into the entertainment realm and DD didn't fight back.

From 'Tara' to 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki'
It's almost the same stuff really! Zee came up with their style of programming and I would say that is pretty much the same that is going on. DD did not show women drinking or smoking because it was not allowed. Now if you look at all the serials they are very much couched in the same mould. The lifestyle that a Shruti in Kahaani, and Mauli in Kahiin To Hoga is definitely the same that is reflected around us. The people seem to be stuck with only Parvati and Tulsi.

I see a basic conflict in our television programming.

We have a certain basic conflicts in our programming. We are not allowed to show certain things (like sex is considered taboo) since we are bound by our social obligations. So, we are skewed in terms of the track the plot takes.

But over a period of time there have been huge shifts in terms of programming. KBC showed that even a quiz show could be entertaining and garner TRPs. Then the dawn of the reality shows showed that drama need not be scripted.

Have we Evolved?

Definitely! As an industry we have evolved. In terms of giving choice to viewers, newer concepts, interactivity and a multichannel scenario, we have evolved to a large extent.

But clearly, what is being seen is what the audience accepts. If they were interested in seeing more of the starving Indian community then the production houses would have made that. Or is the other way round?

Unless the person is thirsty we can keep giving him bottles of water and he will not drink it. We can't create a need. It's the consumer with their social circumstances, their aspirations, trauma around that is driving and inspiring content.

Human nature is such that you will do what is convenient for you. If there are slums along the path, then you'd rather take a cab. Or the bread that you put into the toaster should not come out burnt. So, television is like that. When you put it on it should be entertaining, and not depressing. There is so much misery in our country that people want to escape through this medium. Even a realistic serial like Bhanwar was also made out to be entertaining.

How do you bring in the audience taste factor?

We land up rejecting most of the ideas that come across the table. You have benchmarks of what has been successful in the past and it's also about one's gut. It's like if our audiences are younger women, elder women and kids; then they may not want to watch a boxing match unless it is couched in a big story that caters basic emotion. It should make people cry and laugh, take sides, react horribly and get emotional. One is also constrained by the fact there is only one prime band.

Your Personal Choice - Landmark shows
Yeh Jo hai Zindagi was a landmark comedy, then Tamas, the initial parts of Buniyaad. Amaanat was the real mother of the family drama. KBC showed that even a quiz show can be drama and entertainment. Then of course, Kyunki... Some of the others which caught my fancy were World This Week, Movers and Shakers which was one of its kind, and Bhanwar was very well made.

Do you feel constrained?
Sometimes, I try to fit things into the mould or as per the requirements of the channel when I am asked to. I feel constrained in terms of concepts like say comedy. Indians don't really have a sense of humour. Also, sometimes I wish I could be a bit more frank about the state of affairs in the country.

TV Research
Our country is one of the largest sample sizes in terms of very diverse demographics. Some people do feel that it's slightly skewed towards the Hindi speaking audience; but then when there were two agencies even then people complained. On the same rating system or on a slightly even less refined one Zee ruled when serials like Amaanat ruled and that time nobody complained.

You can fool some people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all the time. So, it's a currency that everyone is using and we have to accept it. Also, it's more for the advertisers to judge as they are putting the money. But very soon there is also an elite panel coming up on the rating system that will map the upper end of the audiences.

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