Deeya Singh, the dynamic and passionate lady producer of TV shows, needs no special introduction.
Her journey in the television arena as a producer started with the inception of Satellite Channel. In 2003 she had optimistically pronounced ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ (her first Television show on Zee TV) and in 2010 she joyfully declares ‘Baat Hamari Pakki Hai’ (her latest show on Sony TV). Deeya is now basking in glory of the very successful serial on Sony TV. Excerpts of an interview with her.
It has been a decade long journey between ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ and ‘Baat Hamari Pakki Hai’. How was your experience?
It was full of excitement, tremendous, fun filled and yeah a bit exhausting with lots of ups and downs but at the end of the day I must say it was a blessing in disguise as the entire journey ultimately turned out to be great because I am very enthusiastic and passionate about my work.
DJS is a reputed production house with its shows on practically every channel. Was it a smooth sailing journey in the initial stage?
No way, not at all. But in the end my patience paid off and of course after a lot of merry go rounds in the various Channel offices I finally succeeded in getting ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ aired on Zee TV in the year 2003. Then there was no looking back and the journey was smooth sailing.
Which do you think were the most popular shows of DJS?
Of course ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ was the first extremely successful show. Then ‘Just Mohabbat’, ‘Left Right Left’, ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin’ et al and now of course ‘Baat Hamari Pakki Hai’ is on its way to attain the same popularity. It has received a tremendous opening since its launch in May. Yeah! It’s sad but some shows like ‘Dil Se Dosti’ and ‘Jugni Chali Jallunder’ were not received so well. Never mind but I am proud that I am still in the business with various shows on various channels like ‘Chotti Bahu’ on Zee TV, ‘Aise Karo Na Bida’ on Colors Channel and of course ‘Baat Hamari Pakki Hai’ on Sony TV. I think I have become the favorite of all the Channels.
But the media and viewers think it is Ekta Kapoor who is the darling of the small screen and have being labeled her as THE TV QUEEN?
Let her be the darling of the small screen but I will still be modest enough to say that I am THE ORIGINAL TV QUEEN as I came in to the business much earlier than her.
Now tell us what is your latest show ‘Baat Hamari Pakki Hai’ all about?
As is the case with all my shows being different from each other catering to different genres even my current show is different in its entire perspective. Of course, it is based on the concept of arranged marriages in Indian families.
The main protagonist is a sweet and beautiful young girl, who is not docile like a typical Indian village belle. She hails from a middle class family which is finding it very difficult to find a groom for her. Of course she is ready for an arranged marriage but she strictly refuses to be a ‘tea tray’ carrying girl who is often paraded before the would-be grooms’ families. The message of my show is that arranged marriages are okay as long as the girl gets to select her own life partner.
In your show there is one scene in the promos which shows the would be bride is being stripped before the would be sister – in – law. Do you think such a scene would be acceptable to the masses according to the Indian Television standards?
-hat’s wrong in that? I am just trying to depict a reality which is prevalent in most of the Indian families, especially the would-be-groom’s side since ages. They sometimes do this to find out if the girl’s body is disfigured or has any marks or suffering from any ailment. Some even going to the extent of getting a complete medical checkup done to find out if she can conceive or not.
Do you think the TRP’s for a show can be manipulated?
No way not at all. It’s just not possible and I just don’t bother about such trivial matters. What matters to me most is that when I go on the sets I must see that all my artistes and technicians are working real hard to give you their best. In fact I always pep up their energy by saying, ‘Jo jitna mehnat karega woh utna paisa kamaayega, kaam jyada karoge toh paisa toh aayega hi’.
Some claim that all your shows are copies of foreign shows...
This allegation has been going on since ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ days. So let me clarify once and for all that not all my shows, barring one or two, have been a complete or frame by frame copy of foreign shows. They were totally based on reality for i.e. ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ which totally catered to the varied issues faced by Generation X. Besides I do get inspired, I said only inspired by foreign shows which is completely Indianised by my creative team.
Have you ever thought of becoming a director?
No way, not at all. I am content being a producer. In fact I would rather be known as a creative producer than a creative director.
How do you select newcomers for your serials?
For me they should be intelligent enough to communicate the idea of my shows and of course they should suit the character to a T.
Finally tell us what are your future plans?
I am planning many, many more shows for many, many channels and immediately in the offing is a full-on comedy show for SAB TV and a Big Budget Bollywood movie, the cast for both is going on in full swing.