Amit Aryan, the dialogue and script writer of FIR on SAB TV is the man behind every takiya kalaam (catchphrase) in the show and the man who has made the character of Chandramukhi Chautala (Kavita Kaushik) popular. He works hard to bring out variety and add spice in every situation that comes up in the show. It’s a fact that everyone who listens to his dialogues bursts out into peals of laughter. His dialogue writing can even make Prabhu Deva speak better Hindi. Tellychakkar.com visits Amit’s writing room to corner him for an interview for the Behind the Lens segment. Excerpts: Tell us something about yourself? (smiles) Well, I am in this field of entertainment since 1995 and from the last seven years am working as a writer of FIR on SAB TV. In the year 1995, I started my career as assistant director for Swabhimaan which used to air on Doordarshan. At present I am writing for Jeannie and Juju along with FIR on SAB TV. I was also a member of the production team for the Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn-starrer Ishq in 1997. Then in 1999, I happened to write the dialogues of the Filmfare award function that was hosted by Javed Jaffri. I have also written dialogues for the recent dance and music-oriented film ABCD directed by Remo D’Souza. Though the film had no superstar, still people appreciated the dialogue delivery that is considered to be the most important aspect of any film. Before bagging FIR, I was always involved in writing jobs as I always wanted to do something related to writing. In 2006 when I got FIR, I gave my 100 per cent towards it because finally I had got something to do that would bring me to people’s eye. And believe me I didn’t leave any stone unturned in this matter. How has your journey been so far? (giggles) Well, it was very challenging from 1995 to 2006 pertaining to direction and production, before I got FIR in 2006. Even in 2006, when FIR was offered to me, I didn’t even have a computer to work on. So you can say that my journey started with nothing in hand but now I have got everything from name, fame and money. It is the medium of television that has given me prestige and identity as well. How is television different from films in the aspect of writing? As far as writing is concerned, television and films are like two opposite poles. Television being based on episodic format, one has the freedom to change the concept if the response is bad. In order to make the show rate high, you can change the concept anytime according to its TRP ratings. In films, on the other hand, you need to have a lot of concentration because once it is released, you cannot do anything about it. In films, you have to try and fit everything in the whole 3 hours time whereas in television, you get authority to change anything every single day of shoot. There is one more big difference and that is for television, you have to work in the suggested time frame, whereas in films there is no limitation of time. Is creativity dead on screen? (sighs) Somewhere in daily soaps, creativity seems to be dead and the prime reason behind this is the response of the audience. Even today the audience wants to see the same old format of the kind of a daily soap like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Everybody in this field has tried making changes but the feedback is so bad that people have no option but to repeat the same old format. There is no difference in Kyunki Saas… and Ballika Vadhu today, because people love seeing that only and don’t want to grow without it. Today, writers are told to pen only what is in demand and not to bring out any changes in it. A comedy show, on the other hand, is purely based on creativity because the same stuff doesn’t work all the time and there has to be consistent change in it. What is more important script or execution? For any show to be successful, both are very important. At times if the script is bad and execution is good then the show becomes a huge hit and vice versa. Before handing over my script I always see who would be my director and actors. And I always sit on the editing table to see how it has been executed. How do you carry your writing job? (pauses) My writing depends on the kind of show I write for; like for e.g. if I am writing for FIR then the most important aspect here is the case which comes up in the police station. So I have to see to make the case as funny as possible in order to attract people. Then for Lapataganj, I concentrate towards the problems which come up in village and how everybody will react to it. Similarly for Jeannie and Juju, I find out situations how to make Jeannie a little naughty and funny so that even children can connect with it. What is your take on FIR? I consider FIR to be my stepping stone in my career. I am Amit today just because of my finest writing for FIR. I have been offered movies just because of my talent I have been able to show in FIR. In short, everything for me is important. If there would not be FIR, I would not be here today talking to you. Remo offered me ABCD just because of my work in FIR and even David Dhawan gave me break in his Do Knot Disturb because of this show. FIR is the only show which is running successfully since the last seven years. International shows do have seasons, but FIR is the only show which is running without the concept of seasons. The show is due to make an entry into the Limca Book of World Records for the maximum takiya kalaams used in the serial and that is around 3000. Every politician, actor, common man, businessman, and even children appreciate the show that is considered to be a stress buster. What do you have to say about the replacement of Kavita Kaushik? Since the show is taking a leap of 20 years, we cannot continue with Kavita Kaushik. So Chitrashi Rawat will be seen as Chandramukhi’s daughter who will essay a similar role. And it’s high time the show needs a refreshing treatment related to its content. Could you name the actors who have mouthed your dialogues well on screen? (laughs) First and foremost, it has to be Kavita Kaushik, she brought in life to Chandramukhi, then there are Shiv Pandit, Kiku Sharda and Anoop Upadhyay who have mouthed my dialogues well on television and relating to films, undoubtedly it is Govinda who was the best in Do Knot Disturb. What advice would you like to give to aspiring writers? Give your 100 per cent to every job you take up. First try and understand the show and characters which you are trying to create. Never leave any work in between; try and finish everything which comes in hand. What are your future plans? My wife Jas Aryan has opened a Production house by the name of Sai Shiimmer. I am associating her in that project. At present we have spoken with SAB TV for a new show which will be a musical and dance fiction. And I am even planning for a film which is yet to be thought about.