When a twelve year old Shilpa F D’Mello (nee Sharma) penned poems on greeting cards, little did she know that she would take writing as her profession…Having pursued a diploma in journalism after completing her graduation in English Literature from the Xavier Institute Of Communications (XIC), Shilpa left her full time job to pursue her celluloid dreams in TV script writing. And there’s been no looking back as she has had a success story to tell so far being in the industry. From writing TV shows like Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon, Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha, Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo, Rang Badalti Odhani, Mile Jab Hum Tum, Dil Mill Gayye, Love Ne Mila Di Jodi, Kya Mast Hai Life, Pari Hoon Main, Remix. She last wrote for Do Dil… Ek Jaan and was a part of Gautam Hegde's team. Tellychakkar.com treads into the competent lady’s writing room and corners her for a candid interview. A lowdown: Initially you did a 9-5 job? Where and for how long? (smiles) Hmm! Post attaining my degree from XIC until I quit my job at bazee.com, I was part of the corporate world for a good five to six years before I became a fulltime freelancer. What is more challenging to write - story, screenplay or dialogues? I think all three functions are equally challenging; in fact they are co-related. A part of writing as a whole, but they are still three different skills that require specific talent. I personally enjoy writing screenplays the most. What is more challenging to write- fiction or non-fiction shows? (pauses) Again, every genre comes with its own set of challenges. An issue based non-fiction show needs intense researching skills and the ability to do justice to the subject. A reality show needs funny, witty and crispy writing while in a daily soap, you need to make sure that every episode is interesting. For this, one has to keep the story moving, give the audience enough reason to come back and watch the show again the next day. The mind needs to keep thinking and the fingers need to be moving, not minding the sleep deprivation. Of all the shows that you have written, which one stands the closest to your heart? Okay, that's a tough one because I tend to get attached to all my shows and characters. But since you ask, it would be a tie between Dill Mill Gayye and Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon. Would you prefer writing dailies or do you think penning seasons is a better option? (smiles) I quite like the trend of seasons; it gives you a chance to come back with a fresh story, fresh characters and a fresh perspective. But the challenge is to get the same attention from the viewers every season. A few years ago, while talking to us you had expressed disappointment that TV viewers weren’t mature enough to appreciate good shows. Do you still hold the same opinion? I think then we were talking about the trend of saas-bahu shows. But currently, we are seeing a slow but steady change happening. The audience is more inclined to seeing shows with newer concepts. Take Veera for example or Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha. I think if your concept is interesting and the characters are strong, you are bound to get the audience. It is up to you as to how long you can sustain their interest. Could you suggest how our TV industry can improve? As a medium, we are doing very well. We are coming up with good shows; some last, some don't. But we are giving the viewers enough reason to switch their TV sets on. As an industry, we are evolving and improving. There is more transparency in the system, more professionalism and more regard for writers per se. What is needed, I think is a little more accountability in all departments. All of us work in demanding circumstances, be it the writers, actors or the production team. Everyone needs to get their due both in terms of respect and money on time. Could you throw some light about the short films you have worked on? Boondein - the short film I made was the end result of a screenwriting workshop I had attended. It was story of a couple, madly in love, on a 'high' in life and then how the 'high' results in something tragic. The film had no dialogues, just a narration of my poem Boondein. Since this was the only time I got behind the camera, it was a big learning experience. We shot in my house, did some outdoors, Yes, let me tell you that none of these would have been possible without my friends who worked with me expecting nothing except a steady supply of vadapavs (laughs). I also did some corporate films. Could you name the newspapers and magazines you have written for? I have written for Mid-Day, Hindustan Times, Bombay Times, written a lot for local supplements like Westside Plus and Midday Metro, the Parent and Child magazine and The Record Magazine. I have done plenty of writing for chalomumbai.com which later became mid-day.com while I was working for them. Could you tell us about the two books you have written? I wrote two books for Magna Publications- Contemporary Spiritual Leaders of India that had essays on spiritual leaders, their ideologies and their lives. And Buddha’s Tales for the Young, had stories of Buddha told through a character called Norbu, an eight-year-old naughty child who often falls asleep when his monk teacher tells him about Gautama Buddha. His dreams take us into the world of Gautama Buddha. Could you share with us the best poem that you wrote? Here's something I wrote recently and I think it has come out pretty well: Sau shikayatein tujhko hain... sau shikwe hume hain... Haqeeqat ki taaron ke beech dekho... kitne rishte tane hain... Saanson mein jhaank ke dekho... kitni jaan bachi hai... Dooriyon ko maap ke dekho... kitni aah bachi hai... Kya do dhadkano ke beech ab bhi aas bachi hai... yan yun hi bewajah... bekaar kahaani rachi hai...