The good looking Vikas Manaktala had recently visited the office of Tellychakkar.com office as the Guest Editor of the Day. When Vikas got to know that he had to interview a friend from the industry for the site, he quickly named the producer of his show Yash Patnaik. Yash, who is currently producing the actor’s show Main Naa Bhoolungi, is a dear friend to Vikas and here he got him talking about his perspective from being a creative to a producer and how he balances his professional and personal life. Excerpts from their tete-a-tete. Yash, tell us how has your growth been as a producer? I haven’t really got the time to think about it but it has been a wonderful journey for sure. I got to know the true meaning of my profession in these years and the empowerment I have got has definitely made me happy. You started your career as a creative and now as a producer; how different are these positions? Earlier I was working under someone and every step that I took was their responsibility. But with me becoming a producer I work on my orders and I have the power to jump on any decision I believe in. Even if I make a mistake, it’s completely mine and so is the success too. It has been a coming of age experience for me. Did you ever realise that you would achieve such great acclamation as a producer? When you start a journey, your aspirations and expectations are in your closed fist. It’s scary because you don’t know how it is going to shape up. By God’s grace our shows have been well accepted and it does give a different high altogether. For a producer, every show is like their baby and you groom it to help it grow as a successful body. What more can you ask for when every dream of ours are being bought by millions. Well said Yash…so what are the future projects that are lined up? (Laughs) Well to be honest we are surely working on ideas for a couple of shows. But there’s still time till the next quarter for them to get a green signal. You have been part of the industry for a long time; how much of growth have you seen in these years? My career is as old as the rise of TV and there have been tremendous changes. From witnessing synchronized content to out of box ideas people are ready to accept and support it. You are allowed to tell your stories and live your aspirations. Also earlier there were just few channels and today the choice is abundant. And how do you think things can be changed for the better? In a lot of ways! Since I have studied a lot of international content, I think there are loads of interesting subjects that we can cover. Also it’s important to cater to the middle class people. Youth and children should get more channels for themselves. Target specific shows tend to do well. And where do you see yourself five years down the line from now? There are loads of things that I hope and plan to do. Digital content tops the list as that is the future of the industry. A lot of work needs to happen and with a wonderful team, I am sure we will reach greater heights. Our company ‘Beyond Dreams’ not only nurtures my dreams but every young talent that joins the company with dreams in his eyes. I want them to get groomed and take our legacy forward. The name ‘Beyond Dreams’ definitely touches your true thoughts? It does because I believe one, joining it should not just take it as an entity but make it their own. We believe in spreading happiness and jobs should always do that. Our company encourages people to dream and turn them into reality. Despite so many roles that you play in your life that of a father, husband, friend and producer, how do you excel in all and which one do you find the most difficult? Now that is a risky question (laughs). Each has its own perks and shortcomings. See as a father the satisfaction that I get from being called a ‘papa’ gives me the most pleasure. As a husband I feel I am lucky to have got such an amazingly supporting wife. As a friend it’s unfortunate that I can’t give them much time but with my ‘early retirement’ decision I guess I will be able to give them their deserving time post that. As for a producer, it has been an enriching experience, but I have sustained through the lows and have managed to make a mark.