Asit Kumarr Modi is the producer and creative producer for the successful show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. This family comedy show is completing 5 years of long journey on July 26. A journey that is littered with stories of success and happy moments. Five year back, when asit Modi had decides to make a serial out of a Guajarati column Duniya Nu Oonda Chashmah by columnist Tarak Mehta, he was advised not to dapple in literary content for television. But he stuck to his own belief and today he stands vindicated. Show has not only completed five years but it has also maintained its position amongst top five shows across channels. in conversation:
Q1- Taarak Mehta is going to complete 5 year without any generation leap. Are you planning for any generation leap or addition of new characters in the show ?
Ans- Right now we have not planned any generation leap in our show but yes in future if audience wants it, and we feel that it is justified, we will plan it. However, we do plan to add some more interesting characters, but we have to be careful. Too many can cause confusion to the audience. I know that people are curious about Daya’s mother and also as to when will Popatlal get married? In future if we believe that there is a scope, we will definitely take the plunge.
Q2- Taarak Mehta is very clean comedy show and it is always in top 5 , how do you manage to keep the audience interest alive without any gimmick or crass humor?
Ans- This is a very simple and normal down to earth show. Our story always relates to common man and it always revolves around everyday happenings in the life of common man like Education, Cricket, Water problem in society etc. So people easily connect with the story and characters. They see their own self and people around them in the characters of the show. They have given our characters place in their homes. We always try to give to our audience clean and clear laugh with emotion& drama. It is very difficult to manage show on the same level because now audience has more expectation from us. As creative producer my responsibility has grown ten fold. We always try to give fresh story.
Q3 - In future, will the audience get to see Popat Lal’s wedding ?
Ans- Yes audience always ask when will Popatlal get married? But his marriage can happen only at the right time. Surely Popatlal’s wife will be very interesting character because he himself is so interesting. It will have t fine balance between funny and queer.
Q 4 - What is the source of your story inspiration?
Answer- Our creative teams are very strong and we have good writers like Jitendra Parmar , Raju Rajen and creative team like Dayashankar Pandey and personally I also am involved in creative. We always take stories from day to day life for audience connect. I always observe the real life incidents and try to make story out of them. In fact we look at each and every incident through our Ultah Chashma, so it comes out in a funny way. Like when the Gunda was troubling ladies at Gokuldham, instead of going to police, they decided to eve-tease the sister of that Gunda. This is a progressive show. Kashmir to Kanyakumari’s audience love to watch Taarak Mehta. Very soon Taarak Mehta will come in Telegu also.
Q5- Audience are not very happy with new Sodhi? Comment
Answer: there are reasons when change becomes inevitable. I treat my cast and crew as family and we do not do anything rash. I will request viewers to give him some time. Gurucharan had almost 4 years of training to get into the character and also build a rapport with other actors. Naturally the new actor cannot be so natural, but given time he will surely be accepted.
Q6- WWKBH is another show on literally content. Like Taarak Mehta is inspired by a column, this one is giving platform to poets and lyricists. Why don’t you try the regular saas bahu content?
Answer- I don’t think audience want typical shows. They are fed-up of typical saas-bahu and dance and song reality shows are overdone. There is overload of such shows on audience. Our weekend show is totally different from others. In Waah Waah Kyaa Baat Hai we give a platform to various poets, and writers who have talent. This show is totally dedicated to literature and our respect to Hindi language. This show also runs very nicely. Shailesh Lodha’s creative contribution and Sab TV’s support is instrumental in its success. I too am inclined towards literature. So we all think on the same plane.
Q7 -Have you though to venture into another genre? May be historical or a mythological?
Answer- Yes why not , Making Historical show is my dream and surely I will make one. It is on the anvil. Work is on for script and we will shortly announce it too. I also have planned one Drama show, which is very different and both will come very soon on TV.
Q8- What happened to your plan of film production?
Answer- Yes I want to produce film. I have story in my mind on this we will talk letter. I do not wish to do anything in a hurry.
9- Do you plan to make TMKOC on big screen?
Answer- I want make film on Taarak Mehta but have still not finalized any schedule. Same serial artistes have daily shoot and they don’t have time for film. I think still people do love to watch Taarak Mehta on small screen, so I don’t want to rush into a film and reduce my focus from the show. Currently I am making animation film on Tappu Sena, script is done, work is on in a studio and it will release very soon in 2014 .
10- You are creative director as well as producer for your shows. Is it not tiring to walk in two different shoes?
Answer- Yes I am totally involved in Taarak Mehta. You may say I walk Taarak Mehta, eat Taarak and sleep Taarak Mehta. Its an integral part of me. I always keep observing real incidents for fresh story. We are going to complete 5 year on 28th July 2013 with good TRP without any generation leap and I think it is an achievement. Our main focus is the story. Taarak Mehta’s real hero is the story and subject line. I always think of creative first and then profit. Because I understand both, so I am able to maintain a balance and give good product within the budget.
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