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An ex-forest
officer, till about eight years ago he was known in the film industry
as Anupam Kher’s younger brother as well as his secretary.
But with the launch of the Metro channel in early l993, Anupam turned
producer with Imtihaan and Raju Kher as the serial’s executive
producer was the man at the helm. But besides handling the production,
Raju also made his debut on television as an actor in the same serial.
He didn’t look back after that as he became a busy actor and
went on to do more than 50 serials in a span of eight years. A keen
learner, he not only honed his acting skills but through minute
observation and interacting with his directors, he learnt the technical
inputs that goes into serial making. Thus three years ago he made
his debut as producer-director with Sanskar which was telecast on
Zee’s afternoon slot ‘Darpan’ for 58 weeks. Next
followed the daily soap Ret Ka Dariya for Sahara TV which he produced
and directed and also acted in it. But not long ago the actor who
had difficult time in managing his dates has now turned to full
time direction with TAG Production’s Manzilein and Dil Dhoondta
Hai which are being telecast on Doordarshan’s national network.
The reason
for switching to full time direction, according to Kher, is lack
of acting assignments. "I had a lot of time on hand because
of very limited work that was coming my way for the past six months
thanks to the daily soaps where you will hardly find any established
or a well-known television actor playing a part," laments Kher.
"The budgets of these dailies are so low that the makers can’t
afford well-known artistes. Since I was almost without work I had
to do something for my survival. And having already directed two
serials I opted for direction when Sanjay Bhatt of TAG Production
approached me to direct Manzilein."
A mix of drama,
emotions, relationships and action, Manzilein(DD 1, Wednesday, 9.30
pm), according to Kher is a story of a family which has gone through
hell. "It’s today’s story of good and bad people,"
says the actor-turned-director adding further that Manzilein is
presently the number one show on DD1 in the drama category. He can’t
figure out the exact reason for the show’s popularity but says
there should be something in it that viewers are identifying with.
"I think the credit should go to the entire team, the writer,
actors, technicians and the producer as well and not just to the
director because serial-making is a team effort," he reasons.
While Kher
is directing Manzilein from episode one he took charge of Dil Dhoondta
Hai (DD 1 Saturday, 12 noon) from episode 27 when producer Sanjay
Bhatt gave marching orders to Ravi Kemmu because of the show’s
dismal TRPs. "Dil Dhoondta Hai is a story of a girl who has
gone through mental and emotional trauma after being raped by her
neighbour at the age of 14 and how she picks up the threads of her
scattered life and becomes a successful fashion designer,"
adds Kher quite happy with the fact that the show’s TRP has
improved from its earlier low of 1.7 to 3.
While he seems
to be making his mark as director and also enjoying the job, Kher
is however totally open to acting offers. "I have not quit
acting or changed my focus," he clarifies. "In fact, I
can’t leave acting because of the kind of exposure, name and
fame it gives. An actor is always on the screen whereas the director
is behind the scene. I love all the adulation I get as an actor,"
says Kher who is also all set to start his third home tele-production
which he will be directing as well.
—AL
Chougule
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