Creator Sandeep Modi on how he turned ‘hurt’ over lack of credit in Aarya reviews into hard work for The Night Manager: ‘Didn’t want to become villain’

Sandeep Modi, who was also the co-creator of Sushmita Sen’s hit series Aarya along with Ram Madhvani, says he was shocked to see his name being omitted from all the glowing reviews the show had received. Deeply hurt and extremely charged, Sandeep said he dived into the world of The Night Manager to prove a point: that credit must be given to all and that he is a filmmaker who is worth talking about.

In an interview with indianexpress.com, the creator talks about the show, his craft, the challenges he faced and his next project with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

Edited excerpts:

 

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How are you processing the response to the show?

It will take a while to sink in because the success has been that huge but it has been a great ride. For a guy who got used to failures, I first of all didn’t know how to deal with success when Aarya happened. All my work has been awarded but audience love has eluded me till Aarya happened. That’s when I thought maybe this is the pinnacle of what it feels to succeed and win hearts. But this one is humungous! Everywhere I go and mention The Night Manager, the amount of love and respect I get, it is truly humbling. I was genuinely expecting a lot of flak from people who love the original show but most of them have loved this one too. It is also the platform’s most watched show, so it is a big thing.

Were you bogged down by the success of Aarya?

The success wasn’t fully mine because I was a co-creator. But it was hurtful when so many reviewers just removed my name from their reviews. I remember getting a punch in my gut, that I worked so hard and I was the co-creator but I would read a review and my name wouldn’t be there. Ram Madhvani even apologised to me so many times, that he can’t help when people do this….

So I was charged up and wanted to prove that I was worthy to be given due credit for what I have made. I was carrying this hurt somewhere, it helped me work extremely hard to make The Night Manager. In Minnal Murali, a superpower gives birth to a hero and a villain. I always wanted to ensure that I don’t turn into a villain, because hurt can make you that. I wanted to stay positive and ensure that I empower more people, whether it is Priyanka Ghose, my fellow director on this one or anyone else. This is such an incredibly collaborative art form, no one can claim to take sole success credit.

What was your biggest challenge?

To get it off the block. The first year was about writing, casting, so many conversations, so many people changed. The person handling the show from Disney moved to Amazon Prime, the production head is now heading Endemol Shine, the content supervisor works for somebody else. It is like in three years everyone did everything else and here the show was standing like a tree. I was doing a film at that point, which was offered to me, but I just felt like I should do this. That was the point when people told me maybe it was a wrong choice, why would I choose a show over a film. But I had a lot to prove; for a guy who had done a rustic film like Chumbak, to make Aarya and from there to make The Night Manager which is so slick, sexy and with substance, it felt like I was punching way above. The risks were great, but I knew if it works, the pay offs would be greater.

Does this feel like a huge weight off your shoulder then?

I thought it would reduce, but it has only increased! The pressure has doubled, but I am happy that those who have seen the original as well as the adaptation, they feel I haven’t let them down. Even the fans of these actors are happy that they have been presented well. Success is when everyone feels it in equal measure- from DOP, actors, writers, the platform.

Have you figured what you will deep dive into next?

I am working on a film, I am collaborating with Karan Johar for it. It is a story that is very close to my heart and I am excited for it. It is a risky zone, and I like that, because my appetite for risk has only increased now and I want to challenge myself and the stories, how I can bend some genres.

So it is not in The Night Manager space? 

Well, I am trying to see if I can do some genre bending work. I can’t say more at this point, I can’t deny or accept what you said!