The creative duo

Pradeep Kumar and Ravindra Gautam, the brains behind the production house, Paperback Films, share about their show ‘Meri Durga’ and their path to success

Director Ravindra Gautam and producer Pradeep Kumar, who started Paperback Films in 2015, say that they are very happy that they have teamed up. They are now working on the show ‘Meri Durga’, which airs on Star Plus. The show is garnering accolades for its content. Ravindra Gautam is the director of the show and Pradeep takes care of the production part.

Excerpts

How has been your journey in the industry?
Ravindra: The up's and downs, success and failures, everything in this journey has been special to me. This journey landed me my first film.

Pradeep: I started my career as a production manager for films like ‘Kitne Door, Kitne Pass’ and ‘Jaago’. I also did the shows like ‘Kagaar’, which aired on Sahara TV and ‘Dhadkan’, for Sony TV, which was by Aqua Pictures. Then, I started working for Shakuntalam Telefilms as a production head since 2004, from the very start of the company with our first show ‘Reth’ on Zee TV in 2004-06.

Later, we made shows like ‘Banu Main Teri Dulhan’ which started in 2006 and wrapped up in 2009 and was a flagship show at that time. In 2009, I did ‘Na Aana Is Des Laado’. After that, I did ‘Rakshak’ on Life Ok and ‘Shashtri Sisters’ for Colors in 2014. My last show with Shakuntalam was ‘Hello Pratibha’ for Zee TV. I only parted with the company to start on my own as a producer and so far the journey was fruitful.

What is unique about you show ‘Meri Durga’?
Ravindra: The introspection of a father's mind and heart. We very rarely see the father's side on the screen.

Pradeep: It is not unique in a way, but it is a story which anyone can relate to. It's a story of the relationship between a father and his daughter. We felt that we should show a story about a family in a village, which is financially backward.

I hail from a village and I could relate to it. Every village has this story of bad economic conditions and people don't have money for proper education, but every parent wants their child to go to the school and get a good education.

The show supports girl's education. Comment.
Ravindra: Yes it does and that's the need of the hour.

Pradeep: To be very honest, it does not support girl education in a way, but it is a take on the whole education system in India. So, through this show, we also want to give out a message to the parents that don't force the studies on the child and instead see his or her qualities. Education is important, but somewhere or the other, the child also possesses some other qualities which also matters. Education for girls has improved a lot in India. So, now we are giving importance to the whole education system rather than just the girl education through this show.

The show airs at 6.30 pm, isn’t it an early timeslot?
Ravindra: I don't think so at all. Shows around this slot are doing excellent for the channel and have a loyal audience too. It has been only a month. If the content is good people will love it regardless of timeslot.

Pradeep: I personally feel that it does not work this way in the industry. It's like reading a novel; we do not read it unless we like it and it is the same with TV shows. If our content is good with Indian values, every Indian has a mentality of watching this content because it is relative. Initially, we felt we need to change, but then we did not mind the timeslot because I believe that if you are showing something nice to the audience they will definitely watch it and the timing does not matter.

What is the story behind the title ‘Meri Durga’?
Ravindra: It is simple and compliments our storyteller and we always talk about our children as meri or mera.

Pradeep: This title is very close to me, it’s the relationship between a father and the daughter, and her name is Durga. It says, “Meri Durga”, and my translation is “My Daughter”. There could not have been a better title than this.

The set is being appreciated for its unique authentic look and setting. Comment.
Ravindra: Because our show is based on real emotions and relationship we wanted to keep it as real and identifiable as possible. And we are happy everyone is appreciative of our approach.

Tell us about your collaboration?
Ravindra: Actually the credit goes to my closest friend Shaika, who introduced me to her husband Pradeep and knowing me she told me that Pradeep will be best for me. Though we had never worked together earlier but we gelled well and actually he's very good at handling production.

Pradeep: My wife Shaika Parween referred my name to Ravindra. Her first show ‘Karam Apna Apna’ was directed by him. I met him in 2012 when he was looking for a person to handle the creative as well as the production part of the company and from 2015 we were working on this concept. It is very good working with him. He looks after all the creative part of the company and I handle the production part. So, we are a good team and since 2015 to 2017 we have been going strong. I hope this association continues like this forever.