Dream merchant Yash Chopra can easily rest on his laurels but his enterprising spirit keeps him sailing ahead with the same vim. Since many decades he's been selling a fantasy world to the big screen audiences' under the Yash Raj Films banner. His films are synonymous with aesthetic delight - picturesque landscapes, larger than life sets, amidst themes of love and romance. And now this iconic producer -director is ready to roll out his dreams on the small screen too. (Things just get better and better for the telly junta!)
Weighing his words carefully, Chopra says, "It's a natural progression for us. A man always wants to fly higher. It's like, if I am writing a script, then I also want to direct and maybe distribute. Also, in today's market nobody wants to share anything with anybody as far as the box office goes. I feel I am not getting my honest share of the pie for my films share. Television has been around for so many years now; and I believe that it's another format of film making. The base is same but the sensibility is different"
Chopra believes that television is just another format of film making and people are now ready to watch something different and good. "We'll focus on fiction and of course love stories which is obviously expected from us. But we definitely want to break some TV grammar." As for now the ace producer-director refused to divulge his big vision. The company has already floated a separate division under the guidance of his son Aditya Chopra.
"We've started collecting exciting scripts which is very important as it's the basic raw material to begin work on. It's no fun doing just one show. Our plan is to roll out many shows. Also, we already have huge software of ideas since we get hundred of ideas for films everyday. Now, we have to see what can fit on the small screen. I would say the base is same but the sensibility is different."
"I believe that the small screen arena is not just demanding but it's also a nerve breaking business. Programmes have to be on air everyday and one can't relax or be lazy about it. In a few months from now, we'll start the production work."
Though Chopra is not too much into watching the current saas bahu sagas, but he's all praise for actors like Sakshi Tanwar and Smriti Irani. Also, he thinks that the medium has grown in terms of production values, costumes and majestic sets.
"My biwi (Pamela Chopra) watches all these soaps. But what disturbs me is that there's too much of negativity on the small screen. We need to moderate this. I believe women should not be portrayed vicious as this influences the audience on a daily basis. We definitely won't do this kind of television but something more positive."
And this coming from this vendor of love and marshmallows, we couldn't agree less.