I have learned a lot from Tigmanshu Dhulia and Anurag Basu - Director Sidharth Sengupta

Sidharth Sengupta, the ace Director has been associated with many of Sphere Origin’s successful shows starting from Balika Vadhu to their upcoming show on Life OK, Chabbis Baraah. Sidharth has set up various shows like Don, 9 Malabar Hills, Tanaav, Karishma, Aek Chabi Hai Pados Mein, Radha Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi, CID Special Bureau and many more. In a conversation with Tellychakkar.com, Sidharth talks about his long-standing association with Sunjoy Wadhwa (Sphere Origin) and about his various works on television. Excerpts: Tell us about your association with Sphere Origin? Sunjoy (Wadhwa) has been a very dear friend of mine. I regard him as one of the best producers ever, and the best part about him is that he believes in quality work and wants his product to stand out rather than just having a show on air. My first running show with Sphere Origin is Balika Vadhu, and from then we both got into a very good comfort zone. So what are the shows that you have been associated with for Sphere Origins? As I said, I started with Balika Vadhu and went on to be a part of Don, Jyoti, Gulaal and the telefilm for Star Plus, Un Hazaaron Ke Naam. I am very much part of their upcoming show on Life OK, Chabbis Baraah. Tell us about your beginning in the industry… I started as the producer and director of 9 Malabar Hills on Zee TV and produced few other shows. But once the trend of daily soaps started, I gave up production and decided to concentrate on direction. On the film front, I have assisted Nana Patekar in the movie Prahaar. When you speak of ‘setting up a show as a director’, what exactly do you look into? I set up everything, starting from the characters, to the rhythm and tone of the show. I sit with the writers, producer and provide the vision for the first 20 episodes. I get involved in the post production phase also. As a director, I believe in giving a real feel to the shows. So what is the most important task of a director? The most important task is to explain the various layers of their characters to the actors in order to take the story forward. When you are working with experienced actors, they can grasp the layering well while explaining the layers to a novice is difficult. This is where people like Surekha Sikriji excel; she is a supremely talented actor and it is an honour to work with her. The character of Bhairavi Raichura was also vulnerable to begin with and she did a great job. The luxury that we get when we set up shows is the work shop and the sitting we have with actors. And the writer too plays an integral part here as layering of a character depends on writing. It is very easy to narrate a grey or black character, but layering of a straight character can be difficult at times because they do not have the dramatic padding. Continue… Take for example, the sisters in Radha Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi. All of them were different and same was the case with the siblings in Jyoti. In Balika Vadhu, the characters of Bhairon, Sumitra and Gehna for instance were simple to begin with and had to be developed later. When the show is not launched, we have all the time to set up things, but once the shoot starts, we have very less time to deliver. Tell us about the other associations that you have had? Well, working with Deeya and Tony Singh (DJ’s Creative Unit) has been a pleasure. Deeya and I get along very well and her spirit and passion for work is commendable. The manner in which she understands the characters and stories is amazing. I have presently shot a pilot for them and the show is in the nascent stage. Working with Siddharth Malhotra (Cinevistaas) has again been a nice journey. I worked with them for Sakshi. B P Singh is another passionate maker, and I have learned a lot from him. I set up CID Special Bureau for them. I have worked with B R Films for the pilot of Viraasat. What do you think about the future of television? Television has grown by leaps and bounds and is the biggest medium around. We have been getting great programs like Satyamev Jayate which are not mere entertainers. I place Balika Vadhu at a high standard and when we were discussing the plot with Sunjoy, we had a vision that even if we are able to stop one child marriage from happening, we have found the purpose of this show. We are living in a society which is disintegrating by the second and to provide social service without being preachy through our programs is a very good deed. Sensationalizing an issue is not enough, it has to be solution driven. And television today has the reach to create awareness. What are the attributes that a director needs to have? A director is basically the story teller. One needs to understand the basic job of the director and that is very important. Also, one needs to have a liking to learning and that actually keeps me rejuvenated. Who are the directors you admire? During my times, I have learned a lot from Tigmanshu Dhulia and Anurag Basu. In television, I like the way Pradeep Yadav, director of Balika Vadhu goes about things. What are the shows you have watched and liked? I enjoy watching Crime Patrol as it is a very well made show. The initial episodes of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon and Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo were well done. Would you want to venture more into Bollywood now? Yes, I am planning and have my fingers crossed. There are few projects in the pipeline. What do you do to take some time out for yourself? I always head to Ladakh whenever I want time for myself. It is an isolated place and I get to relax well. Tell us about your hobbies? I love music. In fact, my 18 year old son has actually taken to music as his passion. He has formed a band in college. I listen to music and like reading books. I watch a lot of documentaries and films too.