'The trick lies in telling the same story differently' - Gautam Hegde

Gautam Hegde is a writer has penned shows like Santaan, Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat, Miley Jab Hum Tum and Love Ne Milla Di Jodi. Today he is part of the writing team of Star Plus' #1 show, Saathiya Saath Nibhana.

In an exclusive conversation with TellyBuzz, Gautam talks of his eventful journey as a writer, on the progressive changes in television today, his future plans and much more..

Take us thro' your journey as a writer in the Indian Television industry.   
I always desired to work for TV and I planned my post graduation studies that way. After a mass comm. course, I joined ZEE. I was with ZEE for three years. After that, I wanted to do something new. I was not sure of turning a writer but my ex-boss Vivek Bahl knew I had it in me to write. He offered me to write Santaan and that's how my journey began. From Santaan, I moved on to write Raja Ki Ayegi Baarat and then Miley Jab Hum Tum, Love Ne Milla Di Jodi...

Will you agree to the point that your forte seems to be developing youth based shows? Explain.
I disagree since apart from Miley Jab Hum Tum and Love Ne Milla Di Jodi, I have also written Santaan, Raja Ki Alayegi Baraat and Saathiya also. I have a saas and a bahu as much as I have a teenybopper hero and a dreamy heroine in me (Smiles).

What according to you are the pros and cons of being a writer?
It gives you a high that a thought you have penned down actually comes to life on air. The thought of developing a character, seeing it grow, seeing it become popular is a high. It's like when you all go gaga about the characters of say a Miley Jab, a writer feels proud because he has contributed to it. Like a parent cheering his kid on the annual day, 'wo wali feeling aati hai'. I haven't faced any cons so far. 

Which is the one show you loved to write? Why?
All shows have helped me grow but I would say Santaan, because of two reasons. It was my first show and it was a show any child and parent could relate to. Kartik, played by Sudeep Sahir was a lot like me and how I am with my parents. I come from a middle class family myself and I've seen my parents struggle to see me happy. So there used to be times when I would get emotional writing a scene.

As a writer will you aim to get recognized for the TRP your show is getting, or will you choose to get critical acclaim?
I aim to do honest and hard work with good teams. The success of a show depends on team work and not an individual.

After writing shows like MJHT and LNMJ, you are presently writing for Saathiya Saath Nibhana which is a typical saas bahu drama. How did you make this transition?
Saathiya is not a typical saas bahu drama. For starters, I think it is gutsy for a channel that had a saas bahu show as its flagship show once to reinvent the formula and again make another hit show. As for my transition, like I said, I started writing with a drama (Santaan) and a fairy tale romance (Raja ki Ayegi) and then I did youth shows for sometime. I was itching to do a drama again and gladly SNS happened. 

What were the changes you had to make in your writing style to suit the saas bahu genre?
Like I said, it was about doing a show with a saas and a bahu, but with a difference. What makes it different is that the drama has an element of fun attached, and I and my co-writer Jyoti Tandon keep it alive on the screenplay level. Even the scheming doesn't really involve something you wouldn't be able to relate to. Pressure cooker phatega ki nahi, ghee aur tel ki chori kaise pakdi jayegi- it has drama, but an essence of fun and thrill to it. 

Saathiya is raking very high TRPs and also is the #1 show. Did you expect this huge success and popularity?
Honestly, I didn't expect it to be SO big. It's the team effort- the channel, the production house, the creative team and the synchronization within. I think once a show shows potential of being a hit, the team gets positively motivated. With the show, at every stage, it goes one notch up. When I see the telecast myself I am astonished- its like- is it the same scene that we wrote? It's awesome!

Which part of the country do you think gets you the maximum viewership for Saathiya?
That's best answered by the channel as they get detailed reports.

Many in the industry feel there is no novelty in Saathiya, and are today amazed that the show can get so big. How do you silence such people?
Hahaha! You make me sound like I'm a bureaucrat to silence them. See, a show needs to have a novelty factor. If its not there and if it's just the same, then the audience wont lap it up. Take Pavitra Rishta, Geet Hui Sabse Parayi, Baat Hamari Pakki Hai, Uttaran. Somewhere, all are about love stories with elements of drama, but its how differently they are told that makes them the top show on the channel. At the end of the day, the trick lies in telling the same story differently.  
 
There was a time when makers would only want their show to be slotted at the prime time. This trend has changed today, and your show Saathiya is leading the early evening slots. What do you think of this change in trend? What is the reason for this change?
The audience wants entertainment, when they are with the family. With pre-prime time, we want to entertain them during their evening tea time sessions as they are chopping vegetables for dinner time. I think it's a welcome trend. The channel makes numbers, the industry gets employed, and viewer gets entertained. Good for all, isn't it?

You have been associated with Rashmi Sharma's shows from the days of Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat? How is it working with her?
Rashmi and I go a long way back when we worked on Piya ka Ghar when she was a Creative Head and I was in the channel. So, it's been around 5 years now. She is very passionate about her work and has a go-getter attitude. At a recent party thrown for the success of the show, she told me that I shouldn't feel like a guest, but more like a host. That was sweet.  

Your next big association is with Shakuntalam Telefilms where you have written shows like Santaan, Love Ne Milla Di Jodi. How is it to work with them?
Shakuntalam is like my home. Aptly I did a show called Santaan. They are such nice people to work with that I don't even ask what the show is about. I know I have to work with them. Shyam ji and Neelima are genuinely nice people and it's not just me, anyone who has worked with them once, wants to work again. With an upcoming show, I would be completing a hat trick with them and it feels great. 

What are your future plans? What are you working on?
A show for Star Plus with Shakuntalam Telefilms, and Saathiya is what I have on my platter right now. Miley Jab has just gotten over so I'm in talks for some new shows. 
Your journey as writer of MJHT is over. But the fans want more of the show.

What is your take on it? Do you think a Season 3 is a possibility?
Miley Jab has been a very successful milestone for me. It was a well received show with a superb team of cast and crew. All good things come to an end. Now, if there is a season 3, its only up to the channel and producers to take a call.

What is the different kind of genre that you would want to experiment in future?
I would like to write an urban comedy.

Television today is different from what it was few years back. What are the changes you see as a writer?
It keeps evolving and reinventing. What is interesting is that the top shows today are different from each other and are yet successful. There is a Sasural Genda Phool which is just as popular as a Pratigya. For an Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, there is a Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and both become hits. You never know what can click with the audience.  

Which is your favorite show on TV today and why?
These days I'm glued to Star World afternoons. How I met your mother, Friends, Modern family back to back. I am looking forward to Jhalak Dikhlaja. I am a big Madhuri Dixit fan. 

How is Gautam Hegde as a person?
I feel like it's a slam book now! Hahaha! I am a God loving middle class boy who feels nothing can beat the pav bhaji that his mother makes. I love my friends and I like to entertain and being entertained.
 
Is there anyone who inspires you to write different? Where do you get your inspiration from?
Observing people. There is so much drama around you. You attend one wedding and you come back home with so many ideas! I like overhearing conversations at public places, social functions, coffee houses. Whoever calls it bad manners can take a long walk! (laughs)  

Do you think the TRP system needs a bit of change, now that we have got into the internet age?
Interesting question!. But lets face it, those who can access and surf internet are not a majority of TV viewing junta. We are still a country where people have one TV homes and probably no computer, forget alone internet. 

As a writer, have you experienced a rough phase in your career? How did you overcome it?
Nahi hua hai. 

What is the message that you would pass on to youngsters who want to make writing as their profession?
Make it a profession, only if it's a passion. 

Who is your best friend/friends in the industry?
With every phase, every show, every experience, you meet people. Some colleagues become friends, some friends become best friends. I value my team from my ZEE days the most. Today they are spread out but they still treat me the same and that touches me the most. 

We see a lot many writers turning into Producers today. Would you want to take that giant stride ahead?
Arey bhai, there are so many stories to tell. If all writers turn producers, they will need writers na! (Smiles)

Where would you want to see yourself in say, the next five years?
I don't know where I see myself five hours from now. But whatever I make of myself, I hope I live a content and happy life and stay humble to my craft.  

Reporter and Author: Srividya Rajesh