The man who gave the platform to many talented comedians in the television industry, Vipul D Shah, is always a fun to chat with.

The best thing about interviewing Vipul is that the session tends to get very entertaining as the man talks from his heart… .

He has produced many hit shows like Comedy Circus, Baalveer, Comedy Classes and Comedy Nights Bachao under the Optimystix Entertainment banner. And he is now back with a new fiction drama Woh Teri Bhabhi Hai Pagle starring Ali Asgar, Ather Habib and Krishna Gokani.

We met Vipul D Shah recently where he addressed lot of our queries pertaining to the shows Comedy Nights with Kapil, Comedy Nights Bachao, about competition, future plans and more.

Excerpts from the interview.              

If we look back at 2015, we can say that the year belonged to you after a great response from masses on your shows like Comedy Classes, Baalveer and Comedy Nights Bachao. So how do you see your journey in 2016?

Thank you so much. Well, like every producer we also love our property and put our blood and sweat to create it. 2015 was a great year and 2016 has also begun very well. We want to focus on all our shows and make them popular and later launch new shows.

How proud do you feel as you have made personalities famous like Kapil Sharma and Krushna Abhishek who are currently ruling TV space?

I am very happy and proud of them. It’s a combination; if we have right people with us success follows automatically. The motto in our office is to never stress out and always enjoy whatever you do. All my actors and team are very precious to me. My role as a producer and writer is to make sure that the show runs longest and entertains people. To make success happen, one needs to enjoy their work.  

Was it not a big risk on your part to introduce a show like Comedy Nights Bachao which has a roast format?

Yes, it was a big risk as like other countries, India doesn’t believe in roast format. But now audiences are welcoming new and edgy comedy. People now want to see something out of the box. Initially we were scared if the show will work, but when it opened up with 3.5 TRP, our self-assurance was boosted. Lot of people got offended but I am glad we took a stand.

We have seen a rally of stars in Comedy Nights With Kapil. But do you face any kind of problems while inviting celebs at Comedy Nights Bachao being a roast format?

Till now we haven’t faced such problems, but in future if we wish to welcome a star like Amitabh Bachchan on our show, we will definitely not pull his legs but try some light-hearted comedy, in a very right and healthy manner where even Bachchan sir can enjoy our jokes.  

Do you discuss about the script with the actors before shooting with them?

Yes, we do prepare them little bit and sometimes even actors in their curiosity ask us. We don’t reveal all the jokes as we want natural reactions.

Did the idea of roast come from AIB?

Not really, as we have been doing such type of insulting humor since our Comedy Circus days. We used to create a hilarious ambiance looking at celebs’ personalities. If it was Rakhi Sawant and Mika, we used to go little bold. It was my wish to get roast format show and Colors supported us in bringing this show.

We have heard that Comedy Nights with Krushna is taking over Comedy Nights with Kapil which will be produced under your banner; tell us more about the development?

Yes, we are working on it but it won’t be called Comedy Nights With Krushna. We still have to sit and discuss on the concept. The only thing that has been locked till now is the on-air date i.e. 24^th January. Of course, it will be different from Comedy Nights With Kapil as he has already raised the bar and has taken the show to another level. Copying him will only give us criticism which we are already facing (laughs).

Who is your favourite comedian?

My favourite comedian is Kapil Sharma for his spontaneity.  

There has always been news that Kapil and your relationship changed post Comedy Nights With Kapil?

(Pauses) Well, we were not those thick friends that we used to dine together every day. We don’t discuss about each other publicly but whenever we meet we greet each other. And I believe everybody has a right to grow. Even I have left few things in life to begin a new career. Monopoly kills competition, so I am glad that Kapil brought his new show. Kapil has that fire of being different. I have learnt many things from him.

Do you think people will welcome your new show post Comedy Nights With Kapil?

When Comedy Nights Bachao was introduced, people thought it won’t work and nobody can beat Kapil. But I always believe in doing the best. I will give you a perfect example. After airing Comedy Circus for eight years, people stopped talking about it. They started watching Comedy Nights With Kapil. So audiences want something new and not the same thing.

Do you wish to have Kapil in your future projects?

It won’t be a right decision to approach Kapil for my show as he has his own production house and he can produce his own shows. We both still share a good bond, but professionally we both have not approached each other.