The magical world of television is fascinating. If you got the guts and the grey, the industry will embrace you and flourish you with fame, glory and the riches.
One creative force, who currently is living her dream, is Producer Dipti Kalwani, proprietor at Sunny Side Up.
Spearheading one of the biggest projects on &TV (with Hum Tum Tele Films Pvt Ltd), Badho Bahu, Dipti’s impactful storytelling and impeccable production quality have earned her accolades from one and sundry.
She started her career as an assistant director and switched to production, a job that she loves and is passionate about. Badho Bahu is her debut show as a producer and she has given her heart and soul to the project.
In an exclusive conversation with Tellychakkar.com, the lovely lady talks about her journey, the show and her goals for the future.
Excerpts:
You worked with a channel and later decided to become a producer. Give some insights on the journey...
I began my career as an assistant director and then graduated to become a creative director with a production house. Later, I switched to a channel. The journey has been rather organic. While my hands-on experience working with a production house helped and influenced my decisions as a channel EP, I think all of my experience in total has helped me continue my journey and don the role of a producer. My journey has involved a lot of exposure, hard-work and learning from various departments- production, graphics, marketing, promos etc. But my focus and passion has always remained with good storytelling.
Quite interesting. Tell us more about your personal life and the struggle period...
I grew up in Indore in a comfortable environment. I have seen my father at his peak and then suffering losses in business, so I have known both good and bad times. But I have also seen how he battled challenges and like a Phoenix rose again to become a winner. That’s been a very important lesson early on in my life. ‘Never give up’ is the lesson I learned from my father. So when I came to Mumbai, I had the determination and spirit to do what it takes to really achieve the things I wanted for myself. I was determined to make it work. I have put in a lot of hard work over the years but I don’t like to use the word “struggle” as I have enjoyed the process and the ups and downs that came with it.
Inspirational. Talking about your brainchild Badho Bahu, did you draw any insight from the movie Dum Laga Ke Haisha?
I can relate to why people would think that, but the truth is that my writer and I wrote the story pitch and a few episodes and went to the channel. That’s when they asked us to watch the film, as we hadn’t actually seen it till that point. Besides the physical attributes of both the lead characters, there is nothing common between the film and our show. Badho’s world and her issues are nothing like the protagonist from the film. Badho is a spunky, big girl from a patriarchal state who will grow to build an identity of her own. She will rise against all odds and come out as a winner.
That clears the air. Now tell us where did you meet your lead characters Rytasha Rathore and Prince Narula? How did you get them on board?
I saw a black and white photograph of Rytasha and just instantly knew that she was my Badho. Her eyes spoke volumes, were innocent yet naughty and that’s something which stayed with me. When we met her, Rytasha’s spunk, her style of acting and just how she operated from a place of instinct with this character, had us convinced. Then when she started to speak Haryanvi, I knew I couldn’t have found a better actor to play Badho. She was as excited as I was and even gave up a film to do the show.
For Prince, it was actually Vikas Gupta (programming head at &) who envisioned him as the character Lucky. I met Prince and he loved the role and didn’t waste any time in working on his acting and language skills. He is passionate about the character. I love his energy and his happy-go-lucky attitude and we have imbibed these qualities in Lucky.
So is there a pressure on you to deliver as shows end abruptly these days owing to low ratings and also there is a lot of competition in the industry?
Badho being my first show, I don’t want to think about closures and other pressures. I just want to keep doing my best. It’s something I said to the channel as well the day before the ratings came, that irrespective of a 0.2 or 1.2, they can always rest assure that I would give my 110 percent.
Who or what inspired you to become a producer?
The need and desire to tell entertaining and moving stories inspired me to become a producer.
Rytasha is very bold in real life, so how did you see a homely girl Badho in her?
I like the contradictions that exist within Rytasha. She is strong yet vulnerable, she is bold but sensitive and these are the exact paradoxes that Badho also has. Badho is not homely in a strict GEC way; she is an awesome girl who knows how to pick herself up after she falls. She has the courage to speak her mind in a society that doesn’t like women talking. I see a lot of similarities between the two. Yes, Rytasha is a South Mumbai, urban, cool girl but she is a good actor and has a command over her craft. Once she is in front of the camera, she transforms into Badho, much to everyone’s admiration.
We did interact with Rytasha and she is someone who speaks her mind. So is she easy to deal with on the set?
As a woman, it’s not pleasant to be criticized or be made fun of your physical appearance. People confuse the role of an actor to that of a real person. During initial media interviews there was a lot of focus on her weight and some people were quite insensitive. Understandably, she was upset. The fact is that Rytasha wasn’t merely chosen for her size, she was selected for her acting acumen and integrity. She adds life to the character, understands its varied shades, which is no easy feat.
What about Prince? Do you think ‘reality king’ Prince will become ‘fiction king’ with your show?
I and the channel mutually decided to cast him. I am lucky to have a fantastic creative team at the channel. We have gelled well and the professional bonhomie is showing onscreen. And I hope he becomes the fiction king (smiles). He is extremely hard-working and wins people’s hearts easily. In my experience, this is a lethal combination for success. I hope he attains greater heights with this project.
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