For me, television is not business, it is my passion: Producer Sudhir Sharma

Sudhir Sharma, owner of Sunshine Productions and maker of Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha… Season 2 on Colors, is the one who has brought about a change in the television arena by his out-of-the box thinking. He believes in hard work and determination towards his art and is one who tries to bring about a continuous change in society through the medium. In fact, he is the guiding force for the youth through his show The Buddy Project on Channel [V]. Tellychakkar.com meets up with the producer for a candid interview for its Behind the Lens segment. Excerpts: Tell us something about yourself? I have been active in the field of media since 1992. In fact, I started my career working with Rajat Sharma in the News and Current Affairs section of Zee TV. Then, Zee used to be the first private news channel that used to come up with exclusive news and interviews. I also directed the famous show Janta Ki Aadalat and many other projects on Star Plus. After 1997, when I shifted to Mumbai for pursuing my goal, I used to do voiceover for various shows and even directed promos and title songs for a number of television channels. I also did various commercial music videos as well as planned campaigns for fiction shows on television. How has your journey been so far? (smiles) In all, it has been very interesting and a satisfying one. TV is a kind of medium where you get to show various kinds of concepts. That’s a broader way of catering to people on TV. I personally consider the medium to be the biggest platform for any talent to be noticed. I have been very fortunate with the people I got to work with from the very outset. In short, television has helped me cherish my dreams. Describe your working pattern? The first and foremost work for any project starts from conceiving a storyline or a concept. We have directors to look after the whole execution of the story. Primarily, my work is to monitor every minute detail related to a particular show. For any serial to be put on air requires the most basic level to be fulfilled correctly. I decide or identify the writer and his idea or thought to be programmed on channel. Once you have a concept, the casting director decides the appropriate face to give life to character. Casting is the trickiest job and 50 per cent of a show’s success is dependent on it. After that, I start making a bible for the show which works as a guideline for every person attached to it. I see to it that when we are working, there has to be no scope of misinterpretation or confusion related to anything. There has to be a proper story graph which gives way towards execution. This is my way of working. Were you scared of coming out with Season 2 of Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha? As per my personal thinking, I believe that, to bring a second season of any show is a challenge in itself in Indian television because there are people who criticize more and appreciate less when you have some innovation on the table. We were a little worried about it, but worked hard to bring alive the same effect. Even the time slot is very competitive when you got top rated shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai on Star Plus and Qubool Hai on Zee TV airing at same time. How do you handle two very different kinds of shows like Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha and The Buddy Project? (pauses) Both are not very different from each other, the difference is in the viewer’s attraction. The most important part for any show is to find out the taste of different minds. Since The Buddy Project is for the younger generation, it is telecast at 6 pm on Channel [V] that is considered channel for the youth, while the 9:30 pm slot is for women who love watching daily soaps. The most important part of any soap depends on whom are you catering to and what is their interest. Audiences are decided from channel to channel and slot to slot. Every channel has its audiences and I use the same formula towards my show. When do you reach the saturation point, if any, in your show? Frankly speaking, there has been no time in my life that has left me clueless on any of my show. I don’t worry about results but believe in performing because for me, television is not business, it is my passion. I know what I am catering to and whom; so saturation towards my work never arises. I think every show of mine to be my first and put in my 100 per cent in order to attain success. No show of mine has crossed 1000 episodes or anything like that because I have my start and end decided very well in advance. So I have been fortunate enough with every project of mine so far. How do you handle competition? Competition, I believe, is within oneself and not outside. It’s about how well and how much can you perform always in your work. What is the most important aspect of any show to be successful? I consider two most important aspects of any show to be successful are- one the content or concept while the other is casting. What change would you like to see in Indian television? There needs to be two most important changes in television and that is an effective rating system and better structuring in terms of working, because in this arena everything is done on edge and in the last minute. The entire industry is suffering because of the time frame and the one that suffers the most is creativity. Are you scared of TRPs? Not really, but yes you can’t deny the fact that they are the ultimate results of your show. We work only for that and these numbers that decide the success of any show in this medium. What would you like to create on television? Everywhere there is drama, I would love to bring real drama on television with real characters. What advice would you like to give to new aspiring people? There is lack of knowledge among the youth. They might know how to operate a fancy phone but don’t have knowledge of Aurangzeb or Picasso. They are smart and quick, but their ground work is weak. This can lead to failure at times. What are you future plans? At present I would stick to both my shows. For the future let’s see! I am planning for some more shows and movies as well.