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 A
smiling face, youngish look and immaculately dressed, Ravi Shankar
Keemu was born in Kashmir 44 years ago. Having done his graduation
from Srinagar, Ravi landed at NSD. Always in search of creative
satisfaction, Ravi did a fellowship at the Sangeet Natak Academy
specialising in the art form of South India. This research work
sure made Ravi an expert, who went onto act in a Malayalam film
Football along with Mohanlal and Zarina Wahab. He recalls, "I
was teaching theatre in Delhi and for almost one-and-a-half-years,
I conducted various theatre workshops and taught theatre enthusiasts."
In 1986, Ravi
headed to the dream city, Mumbai. It was Shyam Benegal, under whom
Ravi matured as a technicician, "From 1986 to 1994, I worked
with Shyam Benegal on almost all his projects as an assistant director.
From Yatra to Discovery of India, I have had a beautiful learning
experience with Shyam Benegal." Under Shyam Benegal, Ravi learned
the grammar of cinema and today when he looks back, he has built
a forte in dramatics, scripting, direction and production. When
asked about his relationship with the filmmaker, Ravi says, "Shyam
Benegal is a teacher, friend and an intellectual. In short, he’s
my reference book and I am glad that even today I share a beautiful
relationship with him."
When he had
learned enough from his teacher, Ravi branched out on his own in
1994-95 and made a telefilm in Kashmiri. Ever since that day, he
has been instrumental in giving televiewers serials like Suhana
Safar, Rishtey, Mausam, Supriya, Dulhan, Dil Dhondta Hai and now
Dollar Bahu. Ravi also has a young son, Kunal Keemu, who has won
many awards for his role in Mahesh Bhatt’s Zakhm. When we asked
about his favourite character from his latest serial Dollar Bahu,
he explains, "As a director, all my characters are well-defined
and lovable. However, there are three characters in the serial which
will touch audience’s sympathy. They are Madhuri (Himani Shivpuri),
Girish (Kumud Mishra) and Vaishali (Neha Mehta). When you will see
the serial, you can realise what I mean."
What about
the TV scenario? He’s quick to reply, "The channels have
become money minded instead of giving good quality programmes. Earlier
the producer used to make the serial and then sell to the channels.
Nowadays, the scene is different and the channels call the shots.
This is not correct because ultimately production value suffers,
but then channels are concerned about making money from the sponsors,
which is bad. We, the directors suffer the most because we have
to make compromises because of the channel’s demand to twist
the soap." Even though, he’s unhappy about the present
scenario, Ravi is working on his own projects where he can be the
captain and guide his boat at his own will.
To conclude,
Ravi says, "I feel helpless when the producer has to bow in
front of channel’s demand. But then I guess, someone has to
break the ice and take the lead. I wish that all the channels understand
the logic to make something beautiful while making money."
—Johnny
D
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