Pankaj Kumar has seen the highs and lows of life, when it comes to his professional career. Having started his journey in the television industry as a scheduler under Rajshri Productions, the man has grown to the position of the Executive Producer. He is presently working with Ravi Ojha Productions on the newly launched show Gustakh Dil on Life OK. In a hearty conversation for our Behind the Lens segment, Pankaj Kumar shares his experience, struggle and achievements. Tell us something about your journey in the TV industry? It has been a wonderful journey so far. I started working with Rajshri Productions where I was a scheduler for Main Teri Parchhain Hoon on NDTV Imagine in the year 1998. Post this project, I started working for another show of Rajshri Productions, Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli on Zee TV. I am now the Executive Producer for Gustakh Dil (Ravi Ojha Productions). I have had my own struggle in getting to achieve this much in life. Overall it has been a nice journey. What does your profile demand at work? Basically my job is to co-ordinate with the actors, schedule the things rightly and maintain a calm atmosphere where people will love to work in harmony. Apart from taking care of the artists, I also have to take care that the labourers on the set, eat properly and get what they want. I also need to co-ordinate with directors and see to it that we have an uninterrupted shoot. Do you find it hard at times to co-ordinate with actors? Not really…with big actors, it gets kind of difficult, but coordination is not a problem. I think it is a part of the job. We are sure that you have had to learn to deal with actors? Ohh yes! I think it is easier to work with senior actors as they are very punctual and disciplined about their work. In the case of the new generation of actors, if they are required to dedicate 10 hours for shooting they cannot make it as they are not punctual. Apart from that, if they throw tantrums we have to tackle with them and convince them; also we need to take care of the requirements on the set when the director and creatives demand certain things. It is not possible to satisfy all at all points of time, as there are budget constraints. As I said, this is all a part of our job as an Executive Producer. How many hours do you work in a day? 12 hours. So much of hard work and sleepless nights; what motivates you to do all this? (Laughs) It is nothing but the telecast and the passion to finish our work as an EP. Do the show’s TVTs affect even somebody at your level who isn’t directly responsible for its success or failure? It does not affect us directly, but yes since we are putting in so much effort; when we get a positive response we feel happy about it. In fact, our light-man on the sets might not know the meaning of TVT but as soon as someone says that the show’s TVT has gone up he will be as happy as the producer and the channel people (smiles). Have you ever faced any monetary issues with the productions you have worked? No. How helpful is CINTAA? Ahh…it has actually never been helpful or problematic. CINTAA is for artists. It has nothing to do with us. Your advice to people who aspire to become EPs… I would just say that in this industry one needs to be careful in not being extra soft spoken or political. Just do your work cut-to-cut, maintain harmony. That will make things easier for all.