MUMBAI: The journey from writing soaps to making soaps and everything in between defines Shabia Walia.  She can easily be a mascot for multi-tasking mothers. Author, blogger, entrepreneur, script doctor and producer – all rolled into one. But, for now, she earned the badge of a producer. Yes, the juggler of many roles is currently busy producing a digital film Badnaam Gali for ZEE5. Hold on; her soul craves for more; not only has she produced the film but also written the script along with veteran filmmaker Ravi Bhushan.  The film is produced under banner Fincca Films; the music is by the Nakash Sargam and lyrics are by Vaibhav Modi.

Shabia shows us that with curiosity and tenacity, and by surrounding yourself with people you love, your odds can get a whole lot better and the results are outstanding.

The film is called Badnam Galli and has CityLights fame Patralekha and Pyaar Ka Punchnama fame Divyendu Sharma, playing the leads. 

Here’s a look at the poster / Trailer: 

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Speaking about the film, Shabia says, “The the storyline of the movie is in the space of Ayushman Khurana starrer Badhaai Ho, but the plot is different. It highlights the challenging issues of parenthood, and it makes a strong statement  in a light-hearted manner.”  For Shabia great stories have to be told skillfully,doing justice to the vision that was envisaged by the writer. 

And it’s clearly understood that the movie has personal references from Shabia’s life. “Embracing motherhood was one of the biggest milestones of my life, which taught me a lot and the narrative has many identifiable moments.”

Divulging more details, Shabia shares, “The dramatisation of the script is not restricted to the narration of the tales of motherhood, but it has a satirical take on people’s perception and how these perceived notions assassinate characters. In a nutshell, the story is timely, absorbing and beautifully acted. Rest the audience has to decide.” 

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On the talent front, lady–luck favoured her -- both Divyendu Sharma and Patralekha have done complete justice to the characters. “When I narrated the details to Patralekha about her character she just clinched the character without making qualms and showed readiness to play a mother unlike her contemporaries, who wouldn’t have shown promptness to play a mother. On the other hand, we were completely bowled by Divyendu’s readiness to play the rich–brat and how beautifully he would enact a scene adding just about the required flavour that his character would demand,” states Walia. 

For those, who want to know more about Walia, here is her story. Nothing has come naturally to her -- at the age of 10, her father walked out of the house leaving her seeking for answers. “It was tough and yes, the bosses that I have worked with, I saw a father figure in them, some reciprocated the same feeling but some couldn’t. Nonetheless, my growing up years taught me a lot,” narrates Walia, who started working very early in life. “We didn’t have much, but we weren’t deprived either. My mother taught my brother and me one thing, ‘work hard, and you will never lack for anything.’ And we did work hard.”

 Shabia has worked on prestigious projects like Surabhi, The Good Food Guide, Movers and Shakers, Breakfast with Zee, Siddhanth, Rihaee, Ek Thi Rajkumari, Mile Jab Hum Tum, Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar etc. and with channels like Star Plus and Big Reliance.

She, in the literal sense, has burnt the midnight oil by working in various capacities for different production houses and channels. But life changes when you become a mother.  It was when she became the mother; she penned a book called Mamma Mania, the book was highly appreciated.

But, the television world would beckon her time, and again and sporadically she continued to work as a script doctor for various channels. But somewhere Shabia was restless to do something new, and that burning desire gave birth to Wild Earth, where she was born as an entrepreneur. The company manufactures organic, and natural body products and the business is spawning its footprints across the globe.    

“If I could do this as a business venture I would be killing two birds with one stone. I could stay close to my five-year-old daughter, Sia, and do this at my own pace and time,” she said.

For now, her journey begins in as a film producer. “I want to write and produce good movies, where women have a voice, which society can identify. Everything that I do should make a difference, and that’s my end goal,” concludes Walia.

And for us to know, Badnaam Gali will be released on Mother’s Day, which falls on 10th May 2019 on ZEE5, for apparent reasons it is for a mother and by a mother.

Do watch this space for more updates