Mitu, with her creative brilliance and sensitive story telling has enthralled audiences for over 20 years now with her expertise in television. After starting as a trainee journalist, the lady has been the Creative Director / Creative Producer for lot many hit shows of Balaji Telefilms like Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Pavitra Rishta, Bade Achhe Laggte Hain to name a few. She’s also been actively involved in the making of shows Saath Phere, Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh Ajnabbi.
Now, as the founder-director of her company POSITIVE THINKERZ, Mitu has brought in a realistic portrayal of a modern day woman through Bhaage Re Mann, on Zindagi TV.
In an exclusive interview with Tellychakkar.com, Mitu talks about her journey in television, her new production venture and much more...
First of all, why a concept like Bhaage Re Mann, as your maiden venture as producer?
Zindagi as a channel largely caters to women, their stories and real situations they find themselves in. The idea was to get a real life story to your home… relatable, identifiable and yet inspirational, to weave simple trials and tribulations of modern families caught in a web of relationships. A story that every household can say "yes this is our story"....
What is the USP of the show?
Dealing with real issues of today’s people.... And tackling them in a real life manner.... via a character like Padmini… a woman who speaks her mind, follows her choices and how she inspires others to do so themselves. She is the voice of our heart!
Zindagi as a channel has a unique bouquet of shows to offer to the audience. Was it a deliberate attempt from you to attempt something different with Bhaage…?
BRM was a concept that was developed with the thought that what if the black sheep of the family becomes the mukhiya of a traditional family. An outsider and yet a relative... Her ways are "not correct" as per societal norms... And she has to head the family who all have issues but don't talk about it... It was something I narrated, never thinking that anyone will like it as it doesn't have a "traditional heroine" and yet is a family show.. But when I narrated it to Bharti Sharma (Head of Programming, Zindagi), she loved it.... And that is how BRM happened. It is a show both of us feel passionately about... That is how it got approved... There was no design to purposely make a different show... It flowed from my heart and connected with someone who feels about life the same way.
Tell us about yourself. What gives you creative satisfaction?
Television and films they say shape dreams, thoughts and culture and it was no different for me. I was bewitched by this medium very early in life. Hearing and telling stories for fun was a pastime for me. I don't know when it all got serious and one day I started thinking of it as a career (at the age of 13)... Today also it is the same... Writing, creating new characters, new worlds and real relations give me immense satisfaction. After working in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, I try and continue to follow the sensibilities of the modern Indian women and their undying desire to follow their heart through popular daily soaps, as well as Shorts. Making Shorts gives me a high. Story telling through shorts is what challenges me, that too with sensitive topics of gender sensitization. Two of my shorts O re manvaa, Bawra Mann were appreciated and lauded both internationally and back home.
Tell us about your newly formed production house.
POSITIVE THINKERZ, is a fully integrated Content creation company with expertise in producing Motion Pictures, Television Software, Ad Films, Corporate Films and Niche Products, like Short Films, Documentaries, Web Series and Mobile Applications. As the founder-director of POSITIVE THINKERZ, I am constantly in search of innovations… We call ourselves as a creative production house-- Where creative is the mainstay of our company.
You have had a vast career, over 20 years of experience as creative in charge in many of the hit Balaji shows. How has your journey been in totality?
With every show there has been growth, mentally and emotionally... At many times a new learning... I have been fortunate enough to work with a lot of highly talented people and working with them has made me grow a lot... Like Gurbir Grewal (director Neem Ka Ped), Ekta Kapoor, Purnendu Shekhar, Sooraj sir (Barjayta), Vinod Ranganathan, Raju bhai (Rajesh Joshi). I was extremely lucky to have had such a vast experience of different kinds. It has all led me to grow as a person and professionally too. It’s been a very fulfilling journey meandering through new learning curves that gave me immense satisfaction.
Do you miss working with Ekta Kapoor now?
Ekta has been a great teacher and I will always look up to her.
Tell us about the special rapport you shared with her?
I really respect her passion for work and her working for excellence always.
Your best shows with Balaji are...
All of them.. Each of them has a special place in my heart, as each of them comes with memories of work, friends and learning and evolving graph.
What do you enjoy the most – writing or being a producer?
Both.... As each has a different role to play. Writing satisfies the creative instincts in me… Production lets me give that creative vision a production friendly feel. I feel my being Creative Producer before this was a good learning, as it led me to understand how to balance out both things effectively.
Television is presently going through a revival. What are the changes for the betterment you have observed when you compare TV years back, and television now?
Today there is a niche for everyone, for the typical dramas as well as something for youth, as well as for people who want to do niche programming. As TV is growing so are the appeal, scale and various other kinds of drama, which is good, as there is enough room for everyone.
What are the kinds of stories that appeal to you as a writer?
Any kind of story that excites me!! Any kind of story that I feel should be told.. I believe writing with my heart... And if it is so heartfelt, then it will translate on paper as well.
When will we see you venturing into GEC space as producer?
That time will tell!
What are your future goals?
To tell stories that needs to be told; to continue growing and evolving professionally. To make POSITIVE THINKERZ into a company that is known for its professionalism and is associated with quality products.
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