Baahubali has broken all the records and is the biggest blockbuster of the year. Writer of the magnum opus, Vijayendra Prasad has come up with a storyline inspired by it on the small screen, and the news has left all the Baahubali fans excited. The show has been titled ‘Aarambh’ and is directed by famous Bollywood director Goldie Behl.

Goldie Behl, who has directed films like ‘Drona’, ‘I me, aur Mai’, and ‘London, Paris, Newyork’, has also directed TV shows like ‘Reporters’ and ‘Kavyanjali’. The talented director is now geared up for first of its kind show ‘Aarambh’ and is looking forward to its success.

In a candid conversation with Tellychakkar, he shared the details of the show, and a lot more.

Read on:

Aarambh is such a big budget show, how much hard work did it take in the making and since how long have you been working on it?

Well we’re working on it since last year. Mr. Prasad narrated the idea to me around early 2016. Then we took it to Gaurav and Star. We were really excited to work with Mr. Prasad and Star. Then we started developing it. It’s been a journey from there. Of course people are saying it’s big, but the budget is not big enough for what this man writes. It’s been a struggle to get the written words on to the screen. We’re trying our best and hopefully everybody will be dazzled by its visual quality. We’ve been getting good response on the promos, so I’m feeling encouraged now.

What was the most difficult part about making Aarambh?

As a matter of fact, it has not been set in one room or in one palace. There are lot of animals, and visual effects, and lot of characters, costumes, and crowd in the show. Prasad’s writing really tests the technicians, director, and producer to show their best skills. Unlike a movie, you have a limited budget over here. So that’s been the struggle part of it.

As it’s a big budget show, are you confident that you’ll cover up all the cost?

I keep on saying, for me success is getting the next job. If I get the next job, that means the show is successful. Whether it recovers the money, whether it gains high TRPs is of course a big thing. But I don’t care until I’m getting a job.

The promo says it’s from the writer of Baahubali. Are you cashing on from the popularity of the movie?

Yes of course, we are. Why shouldn’t we? He’s a star and everybody is talking about the show for that reason. He has written classics like Magadheera, Son of Sardaar, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Baahubali and his success is unmatched.

For such a big show, why didn’t you choose any known face for the female lead?

We needed a particular kind of person for the characters of a Dravidian princess, and Kartika’s body language, accent, her look has got a south Indian feel to it. And look at the promos, she looks so convincing!  We’re lucky she’s a Mumbai girl, so we’ve got best of both the worlds.

With Aarambh on board, are you ready to bring mainstream projects to TV? This is the first time you’re trying something in this genre isn’t it?

On films I’ve done it, but yes it’s the first time on I’m doing it on TV. I wanted to do something like this since a while. I did all this 10 years ago with Drona. After that I never got the opportunity to work on that genre again. Now, fortunately with Mr. Prasad, Mr. Banerjee I’m getting to do it for Star. I’m really excited to do it. It’s good to know that people have confidence in you.

We all know that Drona failed to impress audience, weren’t you skeptical of bringing the same genre on to TV?

I’d say, Drona was a disaster. But not even for a second I was skeptical about this project. In fact I was very excited and waiting to show my skills. I’m quite hopeful and the promos are getting a good response.

How much has star helped you in the entire process? And why did you choose to bring it on Star?

We chose Star because we were in conversation with Gaurav to do something new, and it’s such a huge platform. We needed a 360 support for this project. For example, they blasted the promos on Ind-Pak match, which was huge. We’re lucky that it’s going on Star which is the no. 1 channel and the largest distributor.

Do you believe in producing your projects for main GECs?

I don’t care whether it’s on Alt balaji or Amazon, Netflix or any other platform. I’ll work anywhere. I don’t have a problem working for anyone. But yes, if I have a choice, I would like to tie up with certain channels. If I don’t have the choice, I don’t care.

News about Sonali Bendre directing few episodes of the show has been doing rounds. What’s the truth behind it?

No, that’s not at all true.

What are the other genres that you want to bring to the TV?

I would really like to do a good mythological show. I also would like to do a crime thriller and something sensational.

We have a lot of housewives as the audience who need a daily dose of kitchen politics. Do you think Aarambh will connect to all kinds of audiences?

I don’t know, audience can only tell. If you talk about housewives, I would say, they’ve had enough of what they’ve been seeing. They need something else. So it’s like a weekend bonanza. 

How much research has been done on the show, and do you actually follow TV shows?

I watch TV regularly and keep a tab on all shows. I sit with my mother in the evening and watch whatever she watches. I see Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke, Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Hanuman and all. I should know what the audience is consuming.

As we know TV is TRP driven, so will the story plots depend on the TRP?

Well, we’ve actually locked the entire story and the show is of finite episodes. So I don’t think we’ll change it.

Aarambh is a weekend show, are you skeptical about it working?

Naagin is also a weekend show and it worked. So Aarambh will also work. It’s the story that works not the time slot or days.

Is there any Bollywood project you’re working on currently?

We’re working on couple of things but we’re waiting for the cast to get together. I can’t talk about it yet.

Do you plan to do any web series, as it is proving to be a hit formula these days?

Yes. We’re doing a couple of things but we’re not starting a production house or something.

Share any five reasons why people should watch Aarambh?

First, it’s from the writer of Baahubali. Second, it’s a little bit about history. Third, it’s a clash of cultures and civilizations. Fourth, It has got action and vfx, and fifth, it’s a matriarchal world Vs patriarchal world.