I have watched TV all my life :Ravina Kohli

She is the soft-spoken creative head of Yash Raj Television. The name is Ravina Kohli. She has had a long association with TV as a writer and creative producer as she says, “I have watched TV all my life.” So it only seems right Aditya Chopra chose her to head his company’s TV division. When some days ago, YRF and Sony launched the five shows – Seven, Powder, Mahi Way, Lift Kara De and Rishta.com, Ravina happily sat away from the spotlight till Karan Johar invited her on the dais and she reluctantly took centre stage for a photo-op. After the press conference, she spoke only when spoken to, watching the stars of her shows and KJo talking animatedly to the media. She doesn’t think much of the interviews and it’s not surprising because that’s how Yash Raj prefers it – “To let the work speak for itself.” However, we managed to speak to the reticent Ravina. Are you nervous? More than nervous, I am eager to know the reactions to the shows, the viewers’ response. Though, I am confident that they have turned out well. From the script stage to its execution, the translation has been smooth. Television is a different ball game, compared to films… Yes, a film is a one-time thing whereas a TV serial has to be constantly looked after. But both cater to an audience at the end of the day. But TV changes at the flick of a remote control? Yes, but the viewer emotions are the same. Be it a film or a serial, if you tap the right emotion, if there is that basic connect, then the medium shouldn’t matter. What’s your role at YRF? I take care of everything – from scripts to cast, to production, execution, putting everything together etc…it’s all my responsibility. What was the brief given to you? That the shows should be entertaining and have a universal appeal. Sony has not had a very good run on the TRP charts, yet you chose it to launch your shows? Does that worry you? Honestly, we have never looked at it like that. Yash Raj and Sony go back a long way and share a fruitful, satisfying relationship, so our foray into serials for their channel was only a natural progression. Is Aditya Chopra hands-on with these shows? Absolutely. We work together and he takes a keen interest in every department of these shows. This is as important to him as the films they make. So yes, he is completely involved and hands-on. How long were these shows in the pipeline? Two years…we have been putting everything together for that long. Didn’t you want to make daily soaps considering TV is more about them? Yes, I am aware of it but daily soaps also mean a faster pace and we didn’t want to compromise on our story-telling; daily soaps are a different ball game and we were sure we didn’t want to enter that space, not when we were starting out. What do you watch on TV? I watch almost everything – from daily soaps to news to everything – but the era of Doordarshan was something else. All the shows of that time are my favourites. Shows like Buniyaad, Hum Log, Yeh Jo Hain Zindagi, Tamas…they are all-time greats.