.png "Home")
Rajesh Joshi, fondly known as Rajubhai in the television industry, began his journey as writer thirteen years ago. His claim to fame came when he, for the first time, associated himself with the Czarina of television Ekta Kapoor to write one of the benchmark shows in Indian Television… <em>Koshish Ek Asha<em>.
Submitted by
TellychakkarTeam
on
Sat, 08/04/2012 - 16:14
Rajesh Joshi, fondly known as Rajubhai in the television industry, began his journey as writer thirteen years ago. His claim to fame came when he, for the first time, associated himself with the Czarina of television Ekta Kapoor to write one of the benchmark shows in Indian Television… Koshish Ek Asha.
Together they created history with the evergreen drama soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi after which there was no looking back for this writer-producer perfect combination. After that, they followed up with some great shows that include Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Kkusum, Koi Apna Sa, Bandini, Tere Liye, Pavitra Rishta and Parichay. Tellychakkar.com caught up with the ebullient writer for a free-wheeling interview. Excerpts:
Tell us about your beginning?
(pauses) My journey has indeed been humble. I come from an artistic environment with my dad and brothers associated with stage. However, I wanted to pursue my academic career and took up a job. I then took a creative call and decided to join theatre. After having directed many plays, it was sheer luck that got me into television as writer. In 1999, when I got bedridden, the fact that I had left my job, started to pinch. After meeting Ekta Kapoor for a brief spell, I decided to join her core team of writers for Koshish Ek Asha and the rest is what you know is history.
Which has been the best phase of your life?
Naturally, it has to be the kind of encouraging start I got with Koshish Ek Asha. Of course, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi made me stand my ground. I must say that all my successes, as a writer, is because of this show. Again, Bandini and Pavitra Rishta were great and I enjoyed writing them.
Have you had any tough moments in the industry?
In my case, the journey has been a smooth one for two reasons. Firstly, I had a strong drama experience behind me wherein I had been writing plays for 22 years. Secondly, the drive and motivation that Ekta Kapoor has given me over the years has been phenomenal. I have been fortunate to write shows like Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Bandini and Tere Liye among others.
Which according to you was the most challenging task you have taken up so far?
Here, I would want to mention two shows - Saarthi for Star Plus and Teen Bahuraniyan for Playtime Creations. Writing for Saarthi was challenging because the concept was Mahabharat and I had to write a modern version of it. However, I utilised Krishna as a character in it but gave it a different touch by using the ancient age Krishna in the modern context. Teen Bahuraniyan was my own concept and it was great experience writing for it.
Continue…
When it came to Balaji Telefilms, I enjoyed writing for Bandini which was depicting hardcore Gujarat. Pavitra Rishta is one show which I continue to write even today and the journey has been remarkable. Tere Liye was also a challenging phase which dealt with a Bengali backdrop. I have been privileged to give a lot of variations through my work for Balaji Telefilms. And working with a creative person like Ekta is certainly a joyous experience. Here, I would proudly say that any creative person would enjoy working with Ekta as she places a great world before you through her creative vision.
Have you ever gone through something called the ‘Writer’s Block’?
Yes, whenever I write any daily soap at a stretch for say 80 to 90 episodes, I enter a stage where I don’t have a story ahead as writer. And this is the time when I usually opt for a break.
So what do you exactly do to overcome this block?
Well, the solution lies in thinking. Writing for a daily soap is a tiring process and after a while, we usually end up with no story. And this is when we try to manipulate with the plot and this is not the right manner to go about it. One should think afresh to overcome it. In order to get on track, I hold meetings with concerned people and with Ekta. When in need, she has always given me valuable tips. I then latch on to them and create a path for myself. When I am on this temporary break, Ekta usually appoints other writers and gives me the space (say for 10-15 episodes) to think ahead and come up with good stuff.
Can you tell us about one such instance?
Yes, recently it so happened when we had decided to take a leap in Pavitra Rishta. We were supposed to take the story ahead in December and I stopped writing for the show somewhere in November. I had a good gap of 20 episodes, during which I held creative discussions with my team and with Ekta. I invested the time developing new story ideas. After having 4 to 5 meetings with Ekta, I was ready with a good leap story. So, the break I got, really helped me to rejuvenate.
How and when did you join Ekta?
In the year 1999 my friend Vipul Mehta was writing for a show called Captain House for Ekta. One day he told me that Ekta was looking for a new team of writers and wanted me to get on board. And this is when I turned writer for Ekta’s Koshish Ek Asha. And after Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi happened, we got very comfortable with each other as a team when it came to delivering good storylines.
What according to you is the key to success?
For any writer, whether a person with experience or an upcoming writer, the idea is to update yourself thoroughly. Since I have been in the industry for the last 13 years, I cannot come up with outdated ideas. I have to stick to the current scenario which is happening around me. Yes, it is true that I have created history by writing Kyunki Saas… but that is past. A writer has to put in 200 per cent effort to get 100 per cent success. I am lucky that as a writer Pavitra Rishta is seeing success even today.
Like
0
Love
0
Haha
0
Yay
0
Wow
0
Sad
0
Angry
0
Add new comment