This is an archive article published on January 20, 2024
Anupamaa producer says TV actors bigger than Bollywood stars, addresses controversy over firing actors: ‘Wrong perception that they shoot for 18 hours’
Anupamaa producer Rajan Shahi reflects if TV is a dying medium and how he has replaced problematic actors in his show. 'No one can hold the show to ransom,' he said.
Indian television has evolved over the years, it has seen its glorious days and holds a special place in the hearts of many even in this OTT era. The medium’s evolution has to be credited to the people who work on it. While usually the actors receive that appreciation, the taskmasters – the producers — seldom get acknowledged. However, producer Rajan Shahi‘s trajectory has been very different, he is counted amongst the stalwarts of TV producers who have given the biggest of shows. Interestingly, Rajan has more to him.
Grandson of silent era actor, P Jairaj who was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Shahi was always interested in a career in the showbizz. He started working as a junior artist, and assisted the likes of Sanjay Khan, Gulzar and Ravi Rai, among others. He got his first break with Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi which also starred Rupali Ganguly, who now plays lead in his TRP-spinner Anupamaa.
Talking about his journey, Rajan Shahi shares, “Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi was my first daily soap, I worked on it for a year and a half and then went on to do 18 to 19 shows. In 2007, I made my debut as a producer with Sapna Babul Ka: Bidaai. I ventured into films as well but that didn’t do well. My biggest challenge as a maker over the years has been to see what kind of audiences are watching my content. My first show as a producer, Bidaai, was very simple, it came at a time when the emphasis was on over-the-top acting, with importance given to costumes and jewelry. It was a show with two newcomers that suddenly became number one. It went against the tide, with a very basic story around skin color. It changed Star Plus’ fortune at that time.”
He further added, “Even Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai spoke about relationships and marriages at a very different time. But the audience has kept changing, every template for a TV show today is two women and one man or vice versa. We are just repeating our stories with new faces and it is getting very difficult to reinvent in television. I feel everybody is playing very safe.”
Being a game-changer in an industry that people think is losing its sheen has been a challenge that Rajan is facing. Trying to emphasize storytelling on a greater level, his latest show Anupamaa has been a trendsetter. Rajan says, “Anupamaa came and became a trendsetter at a time when everyone said TV is over after Covid. Anupamaa has almost completed 4 years. Daily soaps have to run longer because so much is invested in them, but creating a brand out of it gets difficult. People are not connecting to TV shows these days. Anupamaa has become a landmark show, it has international recognition. My shows have always brought a change, Anupamaa deals with issues like child diabetes, panic attacks, etc.”
He also added, “TV actors are bigger than big movie stars, the viewership they have is incredible. Modiji shot a special campaign with Anupamaa for vocal for local. That’s the reach.”
Recently Rajan Shahi was embroiled in a controversy when his statement about actors giving him a tough time went viral, with his contentious equation with former actors from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai being revisited. “I have had a lot of controversies with actors, but I feel nobody is above the show, not even the producer. This is a creative field, in the industry everything goes through ups and downs with the best of people. I always appreciate my actors. However, there is a wrong perception that a lot of actors claim they shoot for 18 hours. It does happen sometimes, but not always. Some fans and even actors create a very wrong perception of the producers being bullies. My mentor, Mahesh Bhatt told me, ‘Always fall in love with your actors, only then you will see their hard work’, but I have always been very blunt about it.
“I am the only producer who goes overboard in appreciating the talent, but if an actor is misbehaving or troubling me, I will not take the nonsense. We have big stakes for a show, but when actors or some newcomers come in and suddenly they get success, which is very short-lived today, they suddenly start taking themselves so seriously. They start believing the world does not exist without them,” he continued.
Rajan even shared the kind of actor he prefers or loves to work with, and said, “In my career, I have worked with actors who have had that hunger. In Anupamaa, Sudhanshu Pandey had not worked for long, even Rupali had taken a sabbatical, and even Gaurav Khanna, so they had that hunger. With fresh talent, they end up coming late on a shift… there is no place in Director’s Kut Production for such people. Sometimes I take it because I have a next-day telecast, otherwise, I am the one who asks such an actor to very politely leave my set. I have done that with some leads, who were faces of the channel and told the channel after one week. I love my actors, we all work very hard, and they are equally important to me and so is my technical staff. A lot of actors are different in front of the camera and behind it. How they behave and talk with the unit, these things matter to me the most. I have learned from Ektaji (Kapoor) that nobody will hold the show for ransom. A character can be changed in a second, and I have done that.”
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He even recalled an incident and shared, “An actress was once troubling me, she shot one day, all wide shots were taken, but the unit was so harassed by her that I said don’t call her anymore. I went to the edit, got the frame zoomed, she was out of the picture, and we continued the story. Few people remembered the character for some days and then forgot her. I have done it many times.”
Well, another feather in Rajan’s hat is to have Indian TV’s longest-running show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai to his credit. He says, “It is the longest-running show in terms of episode. We have around 4300 episodes, it is one of my biggest records. For me, this will be written in history so it feels nice.”
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
Experience & Career
Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
Authoritativeness & Trust
With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More
Rajan Shahi on Anupamaa being a game changer, controversies, and more (Photo: Instagram)