They are the backbone of any television production. They not only conceive award winning shows but also have the foresight to gauge their potential.They also provide the moolah that keeps these shows alive and kicking for years. In this column, we speak to some of the most vibrant producers who have made shows that have set trends in the television industry and try to find out what makes them tick!

Veteran actor cum producer, Mukesh Khanna believes in bucking the trend! He was the one who initiated the being of an Indian super hero with Shaktimaan and Aaryamaan. And now in the era where the small box is monopolized by women-oriented sagas, this Punjabi with a strong baritone (remember Bhishma pitahma of Mahabharat), comes up with a path breaking show. A daily titled Soutela which pushes the fairer sex to the background as he sharply comments, "I am tired of seeing women waking up in plush sarees and jhumkhas!"

Anil Merani gets into an indepth converstaion with Mukesh Khanna about his new project and television schemata.

Tell us about Soutela?
Soutela tells the story of an innocent young man (Krishna Abhishek - Govinda's nephew) who lands in India seeking his father (played by me). The track proceeds towards the consequences when he meets his step siblings (Sumeet Pathak, Raj Khanna and Akruti Singh). The rest of cast includes Nishigandha Wad, Shabaaz Khan, Anwar Fatehaan, Saheba, Zahid Ali, Lalit Tiwari amongst others.

What makes Soutela stand out from the myriad shows on television?
While almost all shows are female oriented, Soutela is the only one about a male protagonist. Here you'll find that the ratio between men and women is 5:1, as opposed to what we normally see; the former hardly have screen time on telly. Also K serials seem to thrive only on negative emotions; while I want to propagate positive values. Like the step son doing good for the family, even though they are dead against him. I am sure the audience too is tired of watching a conspiring woman and their multiple affairs. If in reality such people exist in our Indian society, I shudder to think of its future!

But as your show's a daily, won't it also have its fair share of drama?
I have a very strong plot, which will not deviate from the original story. Did not Ram and Bharat share a similar relationship in the Ramayana? Agreed given a daily format, there will be twists and turns, but they will be realistic and form a part of the narrative. In my show, all the scheming will be done by the mama-mamis, instead of the conventional buas.


How difficult is it to cope up with a daily?
Very difficult, especially when you make it for DD. We need to shoot 22 episodes in just 13 days, hence there's a lot of pressure. Another problem of dailies is that the story goes nowhere and you end up showing the same thing in 10 different ways.

Why do you give preference only to DD?
Creative freedom and copyright. On DD, you do not have an EP, who interferes in the every aspect of shooting. Secondly, here the producer gets to retain the copy right, on satellite it's the channel. Hence, they can resell the show to other channels and keep minting money. As I have the right to Shakitmaan, I have sold it to Pogo. Also, had I made Shaktimaan for satellite, it would not have got the same reach and popularity. With technology undergoing a revolution, retaining copy right is essential as many avenues like broadband, content on demand, are opening up.

Since you are the financer of your show on DD, does it affect the quality?
Yes due to limited finances overall finesse is affected (we pay DD the telecast fee and earn money from add revenue). We cannot erect huge sets and have elaborate costumes. DD shows appear pathetic in comparisons to satellite because we can't afford to shoot the same emotions or close ups from ten different angles.

Even add revenues are less. Right?
Yes obviously. DD serials are not watched in the cities, but because we retain the copy right, we can make up the losses later.

Will you make shows for satellite?
Why not? I am in talks with some channels but I would not comprise on the quality of the story. Also yes please find an EP of my age, who understand what I am saying (laughs)!

As a producer, what's your take on the reality genre like Big Boss?
These guys seem to be making a fool of them. When you are under the camera glare 24*7, you will obviously act. So where's the reality angle? I don't think that such shows will have a long spell in India. Agreed initially they are much talked about, but this bubble will burst soon! What will succeed are genuine talent shows like Sa Re Ga Ma and others.