'Change is very necessary in life'
Dheeraj Kumar on moving from mythological serials to family dramas.
ROSHNI K OLIVERA
You were always known to make mythological serials. What prompted you to switch to family dramas?
• Mythological serials were topmost on my mind for the last few years. In fact, they have created the brand for the company. Producing maximum hours of mythological serials has provided us an opportunity to enter the Limca Book of Records. These serials have also been beneficial in terms of recycling the programs in the overseas market, as well as on channels. However, we all know that change is very necessary in life. This prompted us to move forward to establish our credentials once again in producing family dramas. Our shows Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann and Man Mein Hai Visshwas have been much appreciated.
Your Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan has been accused of being regressive?
• I do not agree. Betiyaan is not regressive, it only presents the reality of present day society. Every day we read and watch the treatment meted out to the girl child. On the one hand, we are talking about the achievements made by women in various fields. On the other, there's injustice. We see the unborn girl child being killed brutally. Recent reports establish the fact that gender differentiation still exists in the minds of people. Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan is a serial that wakes people up from their slumber to acknowledge the fact that females are no longer lesser than males. Rather they are better.
After how many years are you returning to acting on TV?
• I last did Ghar Sansar, a daily soap I produced, in 2002. Now in 2007, again in my home production Hamari Bahu Tulsi, I am playing a character, who's a friend, philosopher and guide to the main protagonist Tulsi.
Why haven't you acted much in your serials?
• From 1996 onwards, I started producing mythological serials like Om Namah Shivay, Shree Ganesh, Jap Tap Vratt, Om Namo Narayaan. This required deep research of Indian culture and heritage and indepth knowledge of Vedas, Upanishads and Richas. Since I had to devote time to this, I felt it wasn't right to take on responsibility of acting as well.
What do you prefer — acting or being behind the scenes?
• An actor is always on actor. I love acting, but my priority compels me to remain behind the scenes to administer the growth of the company. Whenever there is an opportunity, the actor in me compels me to come in front of the camera and perform a character that can be remembered by the viewers. It is a balancing act.
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