She is a successful woman. She is a mother of two. She is a lady with clear opinions. We are talking about Eshita Surana, Director of Aakash Aath. One sunny evening last week, Tellychakkar.com caught up with the successful lady at her office where she spoke about her journey, her life as a channel director, her twins, her passions and more. Excerpts: 

Tell us about your journey… 

I started this journey 12 years back. I was 20 and in second year of my college at that time. Television has always fascinated me. Doing something creative has always been my aptitude. When I was a child I used to make candles. So, creativity was always there in me. Since my dad was there in this profession, I was in two minds whether I am being forced to the profession or I am going by choice. I never wanted to do anything to which I can’t do justice. Then I started coming to the office. I was given the task of handling the makeover of Janani. As I immersed myself into the work, I realized that this is the field for me. You can say it was my luck that opportunity came to me. 

How it feels to be in such a top position, ruling over actors and producers?

It definitely feels good. I have worked for Star as a producer. Life as a producer and life as a channel director are entirely different. There is hell and heaven difference. Of course, today’s time is better. Anybody likes to rule but I pray to the Lord to always keep me grounded. 

How your previous experience is helping you today?

I have gone through a phase as a producer, when I used to take orders from the channel. Now, I am in a position, where I give orders. It's always better to give orders than to take them. This experience helps me to analyze situation and now I do not want a situation where my junior colleagues who work for me, would say that it was a very bad experience working with Eshita. If I do not stand beside them at their time of problems then how can I expect them to stand for me? In this field you need a lot of patience along with planning and organization. It’s also very important to understand the requirements of the other members working in the team.

To run an organization, having a good team must be very important…

There is a saying if a person is good everything seems good to him but I would say if the team is good the head automatically becomes good. And by God’s grace, I have an amazing team. Each one is gem. Each one is good.

You have always been a team player or you like working alone?

I have always been a team player. I never differentiate between my employees. All are equal to me. And you will never see me sitting on my chair the whole day. Sitting idle is not the attribute of my attitude. Sometimes you will find me brainstorming ideas with my music director and sometimes with set designer. Strength lies in team work.

How do you manage to juggle between your responsibilities as a channel head and the woman in the house?

I do not discriminate. Both are home to me. I would like to thank my husband for this. We both understand each other and complement each other. I am a mother to twins who are only four months old. But, the fact that I am not with them and instead giving this interview to you, does not poke me. If the family members are cooperating, understanding and not much demanding, then you won’t have many problems. Issues start when demands escalate.

How do you manage to bring up your babies? Do you feel bad for not being able to give enough time to your kids?

See this is again what I have learnt from life. I feel my kids, when they grow up, will feel proud that they have helped me to create an identity. Usually in one of the halves I am at home and in the other half my husband is at home. When, I am at home, I devote my entire time to my family; my kids and my husband.

You are an inspiration for women in Kolkata who want to go high in their career, what do you feel lack in the professional growth of women in Bengal, with many saying the city does not have enough career opportunities?

I think this would be wrong to say that Kolkata does not have opportunities. So, firstly, we would have to change our mindset. Those who are saying that the city lacks opportunities should come forward and do something. Will they take the responsibility of creating something on their own? If it lacks opportunities then it also lacks the effort and struggle. Be the self motivator, be your own inspiration and make a difference. The problem is nobody wants to take the initiative to start up ideas or business. Opportunity is there, only you need to have the eyes to locate it. If opportunities were not there then how have I managed to come so far? We have to change our mindset. 

If someone wants to get into the business of making shows, what all points do they need to take care of?

You have to understand your market and audience well. You have to understand the budget of the show too. You have to do proper research on your subject because ‘content is the king’. For our investigative show Satyamev Jayate, our team had researched for eight to nine months. It is based on a crime journalist. So before starting the show, we had to know the life of a journalist. We are also launching a new show. I am not going to reveal much about it now. But it is on women empowerment and sport plays a crucial role here.

Talking about women empowerment, how do you look at it? How can we achieve women empowerment? 

We first need to change the mindset of ourselves. If we want women empowerment, then we should not be using availing seats. If we think ourselves to be equal to men, then we should consider ourselves to be equal in every aspect. Now, some might say that we have to work both at our work places and at our home then I would say that it is we who have decided to take up the challenge and responsibilities. No one is forcing us to do both; it is what we have willingly agreed to do. Can it be said that all the women residing in this city are working? We should only take up the challenge of managing both, if we can actually manage both. The will has to be there.

When it comes to TV soaps, women have been the loyal viewers. What keeps the youth away from such shows? 

Look, youngsters have never been the loyal viewers of TV serials. They have their studies and other commitments. They don’t have the time to watch a serial religiously. But they surely watch non-fiction shows because if they miss a few episodes, it won’t hurt. Loyal viewers of TV shows have always been people over 35-years.   

The entertainment industry is known to be a dark world, do you believe too? Have you ever encountered anything shocking?

I don’t believe so and I have never encountered anything shocking.

How do you deal with your rough phase?

I believe like good phase, dark phase too passes. We have to keep moving. We need to have the patience and not lose hope.

What do you love to do at your free time?

I love listening to old sad songs. I also love to write poems. I wrote my first poem when I was in standard ii or iii. Now when I read that poem I laugh at myself.  

What would you like to say to our readers?

Keep going and be honest to yourself.