I go by my conviction and do not compromise on anything that’s not right: Producer Suzana Ghai

Producer Suzana Ghai

Producer Suzana Ghai is one of the Producers who is in demand!! After providing the viewers with a very relatable family drama in Suhani Si Ek Ladki, the lady under the banner Panorama Entertainment always strives hard to come up with meaningful and convincing concepts, which will appeal to the masses. Presently, in addition to Suhani, Suzana has come up with yet another interesting show Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar Kya Karein wherein the leading lady is not the quintessential girl, but is a girl who is neither white nor black. 

In an exclusive interview to Tellychakkar.com, Suzana talks about her journey, her shows and on today’s industry trends..

Excerpts:

You have successfully created simple and realistic stories. Why does simplicity appeal to you all the time?

I feel what appeals to audiences are the relatable stories with a dramatic yet aspirational narrative. Most of the story ideas and characters come to me from watching what is happening around us. I think simplicity arises from the fact that my stories and characters are close to people’s real lives.

Suhani Si Ek Ladki has been enjoying a good run. Tell us about the achievements so far?

In a time when there is so much content for viewers on television and on other mediums, I think Suhani Si Ek ladki has done very well considering it is at a slot which was considered dead till the show did well. We are struggling to put up long running shows on the so called peak prime time slots. And here we have a show like Suhani which has completed 2 years, and has not only opened up a slot but has also consistently been the slot leader.

Your newest launch Humko Tumse also thrives on simple story telling. Tell us about the USP of the show?

The USP of the show is that we have tried a new heroine. She is not white and she is not black; she is grey like all of us. It is just that she verbalizes what most of us are shy to admit. In simple words, she is an anti hero whose redemption journey is what one will watch out for.

As a Producer, how different do you think when you are looking at a new project?

I try and always think what new we are offering to the viewers. I may want to do a lot of breakthrough stuff, but I always think of it from the audience point of view. The questions that come to me are - while they will find it different, will they really connect to it at an emotional level? Will it be entertaining enough for them? Take for example, Suhani si ek Ladki, it seemed like an old story to many but the treatment, characters including Suhani’s character is what made the show stand apart from others that dealt with dark color.                                                                                                      

Your show Ishq Unplugged on Channel V was indeed nice and unique. Are you unhappy that the show did not run its course owing to the channel revamp?

Yes, we put in a lot in a show right from the conception level. And it is always sad when you feel a project with good characters and story ends before time. But guess that is the daily soap world today.

From being the lady to call the shots in a channel (Star Plus), how has your journey been as Producer?

It is different. But what stays same for me is that I still go by my conviction and do not compromise on what I feel is not right for the show. And to achieve it, I could be fighting with anyone and everyone.. Star so far has trusted me and given me space to create content when I was working as a part of their company and now when I am outside as a producer. 

Do you think you have achieved whatever you attempted to get when you started?

Not yet. I always feel there is a lot to do and achieve and a long way to go. Yes, I have been fortunate to have worked in channels like Zee, Colors and Star for over a span of 10 years and then switch to the other side and produce my own shows. So that way I have seen the best of both sides.

What are the kinds of subjects that appeal to you as Producer?       

I am quite massy at heart. So any story that touches my heart, and I feel has the right message appeals to me. Of course after that a lot is done with it so that it appeals to the audiences as well.

You have been on both sides – broadcaster as well as producer. Do you think producers are always at a win-win situation when it comes to working on projects? Where do you think the broadcasters have an upper hand?

Not anymore. I think competition is so neck to neck today that no one is in a win -win situation. Broadcasters and producers are more like partners now. Anyone who delivers a successful show can run their show, whether it is a producer or broadcaster.

As a Producer do you think Suhani has been a very under-rated serial, which has been silently growing in strength?

Yes.. I do feel that but for me it is always the audiences’ verdict that is final. It is a very popular show, like I mentioned above amongst the audiences and as shown by data. For me that is what matters.

Getting back to Humko, do you think you have got the right time slot for the show? How has been the response so far?

Today one cannot really say what a good time slot is. Suhani si ek ladki opened a dead time slot. Every slot is tough today. Audience has too many choices. Humko Tumse is an experiment away from all the high drama. So far the feedback on the show has been positive and I am hopeful that it will grow.

Are you comfortable working with new faces? We have seen that trend in your shows. What’s the reason for it?

Because for the first one year no one throws tantrums hahaha.. Jokes apart, when I finalize an actor I see him as the character first and then the other things fall in place. I feel bringing fresher talent is the need of the industry all the time. Besides that, new actors don’t come with any baggage; you can mould them in your character more easily. However, there are pros and cons. While actors who are known don’t need to be worked upon in terms of acting, if a new face suits your character then the hard work of grooming them pays in the end. Having said this, we have cast senior and known actors in Humko Tumse, because they fit the characters well.  

What is your take on the supernatural trend that is reaping rewards these days? Will you make such a show, given a chance?

I feel one should make content that entertains the audiences. Many a times a different genre comes as a breath of fresh air amongst the stagnant content. But then if everyone tries the same, that too will become stagnant right?

Suddenly, the TV zone has been seeing lot many inspiring women holding the fort? How is it to be a successful woman Producer?

I feel it is just the start for me. It is heartening to see a lot of my fellow women producers doing extremely well. Nothing holds more true than the quote from Spiderman, “With success comes great responsibility” and in case of television more pressure too..

TV has faced lot of actor- producer controversies in the recent times. How do you handle your actors? Of course, stardom does shake any actor after a while…

Yes, I feel everyone goes through that phase. Sometimes it is the stardom and sometimes the daily grind. I have so far tried and kept a very honest relationship with my actors. Whenever they have an issue, I am there to talk to them and guide them if needed. It is always sad to see when your actors take rash decisions when stardom gets to them, because I strongly believe that TV is a medium of characters. No doubt, an actor lives that character day in and day out considering our crazy schedules, but the audience connects to the story and character more than the face.

Have you faced such a scenario?

I think every producer faces it at some point. The life of anyone working on a daily soap is not easy and this is one of the issues that can crop up anytime.

How do you see the future of finite series in Indian TV?

When we are giving content to people 6 and 7 days a week, I feel finite series need a different viewing habit. Our audiences connect to stories and characters over time. And considering the success rate of shows today, it is a tough decision to make a successful show finite.

What’s your USP as Producer? Do you want to go beyond the simple love stories?

I feel one thing I promised myself and have managed to sustain is that I will not compromise on the content I make. We had only one show on air for the first 2 years despite of the show doing reasonably well. I may not do many shows at a time, but want to try and create shows that audiences like. We want to try and set up one show at a time before we move onto our next. We may not be successful all the time but that is the effort we are trying to put in. Yes, if there is a great story that I feel will connect with our viewers, even if it is not a love story, I will be happy to work on it.

Web series – Does this new business not attract you?

It is always exciting to think that after creating shows for television for so many years, there is another medium that you can create content for. I feel everyone is still exploring the digital space and understanding it. I am trying to do the same. I would like to understand the consumer of the digital content better, before I produce anything for them.

What are your plans for the future?          

I am working on a couple of new ideas, which are still in the development process. 

Do you ever want to diversify into reality zone?

Why not!! I have always been fascinated with how reality shows function so differently from fiction, yet reach out and appeal to the same audience. One reason why I also chose to become a producer was because it gives me more opportunities to try other mediums and genres. My partners in Panorama Entertainment, Hemant and Ranjeet very successfully have run many reality shows under their company Frames. So whenever I am ready, I am sure I will have good support to do so.

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Submitted by TellychakkarTeam on Wed, 07/20/2016 - 11:38

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