I feel if a show is made with sincerity, it will connect with the masses - Producer Farhan Salaruddin

Farhan Salaruddin, the writer turned producer is happy with his new offering, Beintehaa on Colors. After jointly producing Beend Banoonga Ghodi Chadhunga on Imagine with Endemol India, Farhan is gung-ho about his first solo production. We at Tellychakkar.com got in touch with him for our behind the lens segment. Excerpts from the interview: Beintehaa is your first solo production… Yes, during Beend… I was clear that my next show has to be a solo production. Luckily, everything fell in place as I had the concept in hand but it took me some time to develop it. How much time did it take precisely for the project to go on-floor? I narrated the concept to Prashant (Bhatt) first and I must say that he has been very sweet and supportive. In fact, when I first narrated the script, it was not ‘the perfect one’. But there was something that he liked in it and asked me to develop it further. I developed it for a couple of days and then we had a narration and things just fell in place. It was a great feeling for me. Basically, it took me a month and a half to two months, but it’s been a memorable journey right from casting, writing to developing. What are your expectations from your first solo production? I want some respect for this show. People should say it’s a sensible show, as you can never figure out what audiences will like. But I feel if it’s made correctly with sincerity, it does connect. But it’s a love story again… It’s a love story with unpredictability. Usually a love story means opposite people getting attracted to each other. But the fascinating aspect here is that Aaliya (Preetika Rao) and Zain (Harshad Arora) are similar to each other. Hence, their coming together will actually make for an interesting relationship. Isn’t there a fear of these newcomers being rejected by the audiences? No. I wanted newcomers as it’s easier to connect with them. Preetika and Harshad have been superb as far as their performances are concerned. Your show is also airing at the most crucial slot of 9pm. Can you feel the pressure? I just hope people come, sample, like it and watch it. Moreover, 9 pm does not scare me but it gives me hope as it has maximum viewership. If you cannot get viewership here you cannot get it anywhere. How nervous were you when the show went on air? I was completely nervous. In fact, that’s a part of me which will stay that way forever. It’s not about the first episode. Even at the 800th episode of the show I will be nervous. The fear keeps you ticking. I constantly live in that fear and it works for me. Are you working on a new show yet? It’s just been a month since Beintehaa has been on-air, so I am completely focused on this. Do you still write for other producers? Not anymore! I would like to develop more shows only once I realize that Beintehaa is settling down.