I do not believe in this system of ratings: ACD Jahnvi Obhan

Working in the capacity of an Associate Creative Director (ACD) in SOL Productions for eight years now, Jahnvi Obhan has learnt a lot about the trade. She believes that one has to have his/her foundations strong to progress into doing something. Let’s read on as she gives us a deep insight into her field. How did you evolve as an ACD? (Pauses) Hmm! I have been part of the media industry for 10 years. It all started with me wanting to progress into doing something on the creative side of the industry. Having worked for one and a half years with Balaji Telefilms, I later shifted to SOL Productions where I have been working for eight years now. Parallel to what I have been doing, I have also worked as an executive producer for many shows like GQ Men of the Year Awards, Koffee with Karan on STAR World India, Nachle ve with Saroj Khan on NDTV Imagine, Nach Baliye – season 1 and 2 on STAR One amongst a host of other shows. Additionally, I have been a part of all the three Swayamvars (Rahul Mahajan, Rakhi Sawant, Ratan Rajput) on Imagine TV. I am currently the associate creative director of The Bachelorette India on Life OK. You have always wanted to make a mark on the creative side, we believe. So why were you a part of both positions: executive production and part of a creative team? Let me clear your confusion and answer why I chose to work as an executive producer and with a creative team too. Apart from grasping knowledge of both fields, I feel if a person has to rise up the pedestal, one has to have a strong foundation. By this, I come to know what the executive production team is asking for and is it justified or not. Tell us about the challenges you faced while pursuing your goals? Actually I have not faced any hurdles as such. I went with a hangover to SOL Productions for an interview and yet they hired me. Jokes apart, with regards to work, we always face this challenge to crack up and dump ourselves down to thinking what the masses would like to watch as we make the show for masses and not classes. Tell us about your key responsibilities and tasks as an ACD? I take care of conceptualizing the content, formatting the show, selling it to our clients (channels) and supervising the creative team. We are sure at times there may be situations which may be hard to handle… (Laughs) Yes, I think you just need to be charming when it comes to dealing with actors; I learnt different things at Balaji Telefilms and SOL Productions. While at Balaji Telefilms, I learnt to treat actors as an enemy, while SOL Productions taught us to work in sync with the actors and treat them as a part of one’s own team. I believe till the time you treat actors as one of your team, they are obviously going to be unreasonable with you as it all depends on communication in the team which makes the show a hit. There is a lot of competition when it comes to talking about TVTs. What is your take on the same? I do not believe in this system as I do not think it is transparent in nature. We yet need to adopt a right approach. I do not believe in this system but have to abide by it. If not an ACD, what would you have become? I would be doing Event Management. I have this dream, of starting my own company called Jeannie on the Prowl and by the grace of God I shall start this very soon. Would you like to give any message to new aspirants? After a point of time, while working in this field, there would be a time where they would have to kiss goodbye to their personal life. For example, I am sure everyone would be doing their Diwali shopping and would be busy preparing for the festival right; but look at me I am working! So if they really want to opt for this field, this is one thing which has to be kept in mind. They need to constantly be on their feet, handle a lot of pressure and must be able to take things in their stride.