Shobhana Desai started her career as a Gujarati theatre artist and made it successfully from producing Gujarati plays to Gujarati serials in 1989. It was only in 1995 she entered the Hindi television industry by producing Jeevan Mrityu. She has also produced Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka, Shagun and Hamari Devrani. Mukti Bandhan is her production for Colors. Based on a popular novel by Harkishan Mehta, here Desai talks to TellyChakkar about her latest offering.
This is for the second time you’re making a show based on a Gujarati novel?
Yes, earlier I had made Jeevan Mrityu, way back in 1995. Mukti Bandhan is a story based on Harkishan Mehta’s novel.
Why did you choose Mukti Bandhan?
This novel has a very interesting ‘what will happen next’ element to it. Harkishan Mehta is among one of the best commercial writers I have known. I remember we used to all rush to grab a copy of Chitralekha the moment it was delivered at home. He is a mind blowing writer.
Most of the cast is new as they aren’t known faces from the TV industry. Do you think they’d be able to pull off the story?
I have made a lot of shows and most of my shows have had new faces except for Alpviram and Jeevan Mrityu where I had well known faces. And, I feel no one is a big star in the industry. It’s only after the actors get the shows they get everything. The industry gives them a platform as well as money.
Mukti Bandhan has got one of the most expensive sets. This is for the first time you’re doing a show on such a large scale?
For me all my shows have been big and this is something the story demanded and hence, we made the set with the channel’s support.
Shiv Subramanium is the lead of your show. How did you find him?
Vipul Mehta (writer) told me he was a good actor and when he entered my office for the first time itself I knew I wanted him in the show. And, I don’t think I need to test a person to know if he is a good actor or not for if I can’t do this much I shouldn’t be a producer.
Your show has got a prime time slot which is an added responsibility?
If I like reading a story, I will like seeing it too. The novel itself has been very popular so I think my work is done there. I know that I will be able to execute the story the way it is in the novel.
Have you bought the rights of the novel?
Yes, I have as I like doing things in the right way. I am a writer’s daughter myself and I wouldn’t like to cheat anyone. I have known Harkishan Mehta’s family for years now.
Most of the producers complain the channels interfere a lot in the production work these days. Has there been any interference from the channel’s side?
I do all the work I need to do so the channel has no problems with me. But, if one keeps his or her work incomplete the channel will obviously interfere. Which industry pays one so much hence, I feel when one is given some work they should complete it efficiently.
Any more projects in the pipeline?
Let me set this project first.