Ekta knows the pulse of audience

Nivedita Basu, one of the most talented writers of our Indian Television and creative director of Balaji Telefilms, talks about her experience in this industry

How has your journey been in this industry?

It’s been memorable. I learned much from Ekta and it been fun. Completing 15 years is a big thing.

What made you choose this profession?

I studied film making in Symbiosis, Pune. I never knew I could write and then when I joined Ekta it was like learning everyday seeing the young girl do so much and I was very impressed. So every day I used to sit and stare at her and I was totally mentored by Ekta.

Share something about your personal and professional relationship with Ekta.

It’s been 15 years. We both started with ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’. I did more than 80 soaps with her. Now we are like friends now. I met her in 2000. Socially also we have the same circle of friends and we hang out together. Professionally we keep up the professional distance and she respects that I’ve learnt so much and gives me the needed freedom. That’s why I enjoy being with her than going anywhere else.

If the story doesn’t work, do you show the exit doors to the writers?

Mostly this doesn’t happen in Balaji because 99 per cent we fix the team of writers to work on the story. If the same show has been a success with xyz writers, it can be a success unless the writers themselves after sometime want to take a break. Earlier, it used to be very impulsive and take a call but now it’s changed a lot. We keep re-working on the tracks till we are able to crack it and bring it back.

These days there are lots of new scripts floating around. On what basis do you select a story for the show?

Ekta knows the pulse of the audience and I really trust her when it comes to her decision of content. She has a lot of fresh writers, a creative team which makes the stories. Amongst all of that even if we get a different concept, she knows how to create a story out of it. Today’s soaps are not about a good story, it’s about how we create each episode and each character to leave an impact in your mind. Nobody can touch Ekta in that.

How do you manage your personal and professional life?

Earlier when I started with Ekta it was ok because it was day and night but now Balaji is very easy and its only meetings and timesheet aren’t late nights and hence quite easy. There is no problem as such how to manage.

‘Itna Karo Mujhe Pyaar’ started with huge expectations but unfortunately the ratings have been down. Do you want to say anything about that?

On the channel it is doing very well but unfortunately the channel is not like how it used to be before, like in 2 years the ratings of the channel have gone down. When we had ‘Bade Ache Lagte Hai’ on the same channel, the shows and the channel had a reach to the audience but now it has gone down.

I don’t think it’s that disappointing but if we had the support of other shows doing well then probably it might have been much higher. I won’t say the show has been a failure but the timing and the channels reach hasn’t helped the show.

You are quite active on social media. Is it to get viewers feedback or is it just your personal space?

I’m not very active on Facebook and all. I find it very comfortable to voice my opinion on twitter and to have people who like my ideologies and what I think of to follow me. I think it’s a very good platform. I don’t feel it’s the only platform to receive viewers’ feedback.

What advise would you like to give people who want to be part of Balaji?

Right now Balaji have the position to give platform. ‘Mona and Iqbal’ show is finite series. Then ‘Naagin’ is also finite show. We are doing different type of shows and moving forward to make them work so that when it opens it makes people to do experimental stuff.

Any dream project?

I already did one. I did 24. That was like one different project, which I like. These American shows, which are remake, are interesting subjects to work on. ‘Everybody Love Raymond’ is coming. So I want see how they present it.

There was a rumour about ‘Game of Thrones’ being made by Balaji in Hindi. Is it true?

No. We were never doing it. May be some other production house is doing it. It’s really tough to do it but it’s not impossible too. The problem will be it is going to be heavy on cost and if the channel is ready to bear the cost, I am sure people will be ready to do it.

BY:Abhyudaya Karamchetu