Shailja Kejriwal says she is told ‘everyday’ to get Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan for a project: ‘But I should have a story for them’

But after the 2016 Uri attacks, the channel dropped Pakistani content from its library, but not for too long. In it’s phase two, it kickstarted its journey with the acclaimed Churails in 2020 and only got stronger with the popular and award-winning series Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam. The show Barzakh marks the reunion of Pakistani stars Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, a decade after Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Directed by Churails’ helmer Asim Abbasi, the Pakistani show is produced by Shailja Kejriwal and Waqas Hassan.

In an interview with indianexpress.com, she talks about the temptation to reunite Fawad and Mahira Khan again for a project and how she has to strike a balance between Excel Sheet business calculations and the joy of making art from the heart.

Edited excerpts:

 

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How many times have people told you to just get Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan together for a project?

Everyday! But I should have a story for them. I love Mahira, and of course who doesn’t love Fawad. For example, in Barzakh (Fawad plays a new character), he didn’t want to do another Zindagi Gulzar Hai, it is so boring beyond a point. If I make another Zindagi Gulzar Hai, for me personally, it is a cop out because for me it is important to bring Fawad in a role which he will enjoy, I will enjoy, and which will probably be something that would otherwise be supremely alien to people to at least come and sample it. I would rather use Fawad for something like that! There is no fun if we make something for the sake of it. That, ‘Here’s the money, go and make something.’ Those who had to make the show, have made it beautifully.

Was it difficult to get Fawad and Sanam together for Barzakh?

Not at all! It was a cakewalk. Sanam has worked with Asim earlier on Cake, she knows him, his style of working. Fawad has also been a big fan of Churails and has seen Cake as well. So, Asim comes with his own brand and is highly respected. They read the script, liked the characters and came on board. It is an ensemble cast, not a hero driven show. Asim and I were actually very surprised that Fawad said yes. Asim and I were talking, and he told me that he told Fawad, ‘I was not sure you’d say yes, we were not even thinking you would say yes to the role.’

Fawad asked him why did he think that way, to which Asim replied, ‘Because it is an ensemble.’ Fawad told him that he has done many ensembles, including Kapoor & Sons and added, ‘I don’t have a problem. If I am liking the role and the entire project, I would love to be a part of it.’ This is the benefit of working with intelligent people!

 

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Have people asked you why are you fascinated by this cross-border content creation, that, why can’t you let it go?

Of course. There are various levels of answers I give for this. The business answer is, if I am going to make profit for you, and this is the way I am going to do it and show them that… After having been in the industry for 15-17 years, I know how the business works. I am not somebody stupid, who will go and make a show for an X amount of money and then say, ‘Oops, I didn’t make money.’ Everybody else is saying ‘oops’, because we know what has been happening in the OTT industry. I have a business plan to back my vision, and it is reaping profits.

I keep experimenting. If I have to make 10 projects, my math will dictate me to make at least five that will be liked by the masses and will give me a certain amount of money. These projects will enable me to make something niche, something from my heart. At the end of the year, may be one thing will not make so much profit but will get you accolades and awards and the other one will get me money. So I am balanced.

You came from Kolkata and straight up landed a big gig when you were hired by Star India for the commissioning job in the late 90s. Did you ever feel discriminated being a woman in that era, holding a big position?

Honestly, I was so engrossed and excited and happy to be able to do what I was doing that I never felt any discrimination. Also, when you are successful in what you are doing… I think success is more important here in the industry than gender. As long as you are doing ok, your ideas are working, I really think then that becomes more important. I am sure the discrimination would have been there, but I didn’t feel it, for myself. Because I was there and was hiring, I hired with conviction. There were many women working with me too. Today all of the girls who started with me are also doing so well. I am proud of the fact that I made the right decision.