Which is your favourite serial apart from Bidaai and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai?
I watch a lot of Baa Bahoo Aur Baby. It has a unique flavour, the story and characters are soothing. My favourite character in the serial is Gattu. But my all-time favourite is Khichdi. I used to unwind with the show. The humour was whacky and weird but not over-the-top. Also, apart from making you laugh, the serial brought a lump in your throat. In fact, that is the USP of both Baa.. and Khichdi.
Between Bidaai and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai which worked out faster?
Bidaai. I was given just a month to get the serial on air. I turned producer, brought an office, made a set, blocked the stars and started shooting, all in a matter of 30 days. On the 31st day the serial was on air. That was an exciting phase. One day I was searching for an office, one day I was scouting for writers, auditioning and casting stars..The pressure and excitement of being recognised is something I will always cherish. Now, I compare everything that happens to me to Bidaai.
Arranged marriage or love match. Which do you prefer?
Love marriage, definitely. That is because I have always taken my own decisions and I have to fall in love before getting married. But Yeh Rishta.. is about love which happens after marriage and since this is an aspect I have never experienced it’s a process of discovery for me too.
Which is the one English serial that you would like to remake and whom would you cast?
Wonder Years. I loved the story of a boy exploring different aspects of growing-up. We Indians feel we are very sentimental but this serial was an educating emotional experience. At the end of every episode it would bring a tear to your eye. It was about a small boy and I can’t off-hand think of anybody. There’s this film I would like to remake and that is the Raj Kapoor-Waheeda Rehman starrer Teesri Kasam. For Waheeda’s role, I would cast one of my Bidaai girls Parul or Sara and Kinshuk or Angad for Raj Kapoor’s role.
A reality show that you would produce?
I don’t think there’s scope for any reality show now. All the permutations and combinations in this genre have been tried. But if I have to make one, I would do something sans song-and-dance, on the lines of The Truman Show, where I would collect four people and put them under camera 24X7. Unlike Big Boss, where the contestants were put up in one house, here the camera will be on the move following them in their day-to-day life. Of the four contestants, one would be a politician and the others, an actor, clerk and a journalist. For the politician, I would choose Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi because they are very intriguing, Rekha would be my choice for an actor. I am a huge fan of hers, in my college days, I used to have posters of her in my room. As for a journo, I would choose someone who doesn’t write good things about my serials. This will be my way of getting back at him!