Ram Revisited

He is the acknowledged story-teller of Tellywood. But Ravi Rai insists that he never writes stories. Instead, he portrays what he sees -- in...

He is the acknowledged story-teller of Tellywood. But Ravi Rai insists that he never writes stories. Instead, he portrays what he sees 8212; in his home and outside. After dazzling audiences with serials like Imtihaan, Sailaab and following up with Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai and Teacher, Rai has unveiled another, pathbreaking venture. He is now working on a contemporary and updated version of Ramayana.

The serial is set amidst the turbulence of a society rushing headlong towards the 21 century. A society like ours. The mod8217; Ram is a young whiz-kid who heads a shipping empire and belongs to a big business family. So far so familiar. The rosy picture darkens when a small error in planning snowballs into a major crisis and the family is almost wiped out, financially. Kaikayi grabs this opportunity and removes Ram from his seat, replacing him with her son, Bharat. But Bharat8217;s loyalties to Ram are unshakeable and the stage is set for war and internal conflicts.

Rai believesRamayana is more relevant today than ever before 8212; so the lessons need to be retold and hopefully relearnt. He8217;s not concerned that his characterisation of Ram might raise the hackles of self-proclaimed culture-cops. quot;Mine is a version, after all 8212; there have been so many of them,quot; he says. Besides, Rai is not religious in the conventional sense. quot;My being is more important than God. Being a nice family man means more than praying devoutly. God is just a picture.quot; Ramayan is just another first for Rai. He has always been an innovator. He went against the prevailing trend of fast-paced, action-packed loud8217; serials with Imtihaan and Sailaab. He refused to join the never-ending serials club, when he took Sailaab off the air rather than stretch it out. Sailaab ended after just over 90 episodes and Thoda Hai8230; will go the same way after 80 episodes. quot;If you do good work, you always get good work. I want to give fewer episodes, but with quality andcontent.quot;

While Rai is yet to finalise the cast for Ramayana, chances are that he will stick to his regular actors. As well as his usual style. Instead of a strong plot, Rai serials have moments strung together like beads on a necklace. quot;When you look back on your life, what do you remember 8212; days, months, years? No, all you recollect are moments, some beautiful, some tragic8230;quot; As a character in Sailaab advises another: quot;Don8217;t run after life. In the end, you will be left with nothing but a handful of memories!quot;

Rai believes the name and fame he has acquired are a bonus in life 8212; quot;a success in transit, somebody else8217;s purse lying with mequot;. Yes, he has become secure financially, has got the mobile phone and the car, but he has lost too much in bargain. Success has given rise to insecurities and frightened him with its ephemeral nature.

The 37-year old Rai wants to retire 8212; not from the industry but from the hustle-bustle of the city. Because fame has led to a radical change in lifestyle.Rai8217;s days go in shootings, meetings, phone calls,.. quot;I could at least live and breathe Sailaab. I had 20 days in a month to absorb the applause. Now Ravi Rai has become a machine 8212; an amoeba.quot; He sees himself in a quiet town where he can write serials, scripts, songs8230; and lead a sedentary middle class life. quot;Leave my daughters to school, have afternoon naps, wake up when it8217;s dark outside, meet Mr Shinde of LIC and Mr Rathod of Oriental8230;quot; Rai mocks producers who churn out serials like cows give out milk . quot;I too can have more serials, if I want. But it requires strength to say that I need only this much.quot; The line has to be drawn by the individual himself. And Ravi Rai has drawn that line. quot;I am full. Thoda hai, thode ki zaroorat hai8230;quot;