It will take time for new cast to get connected to the audience
Director of Edit II Productions Shashank Bali talks about his journey with FIR.
Eight years, and one popular name Chandramukhi Chautala in F.I.R has made a mark in comedy genre with lots of mixed emotions in the show. It came as a shocker when the makers decided to replace Kavita Kaushik with Chitrashi Rawat since the leap for the show was a big risk. However, the show has a growing and huge popularity among the masses.
How did your journey begin in the media industry?
I was born and brought up in Delhi. Later, I moved to Mumbai in 1997. My father, Virendra Bali, used to be an ace writer though now he is a retired man. He has written several shows with director Rajan Waghdhare. Since, I wanted to get into direction I used my father’s influence to get my first break. I became an assistant director (AD) to Rajan. Later, Sanjay Kolhi saw my work and from then on my journey in FIR began. I have been associated with the show from day one and now it’s my eighth year now. The journey has seen lots of new things happen.
How has your journey in the industry been so far?
I am thankful to Sanjay Kohli (producer of FIR) for giving me this break and even Anooj Kapoor, the channel head of SAB TV, for believing in me. Everyone in FIR is very humble and down-to-earth. I am also very happy that the new cast is also very nice and quite promising.
How is it working with the new cast?
The new cast has Chitrashi Rawat who is very much similar in a way at the same time very different from Kavita. Kavita Kaushik and Aamir Ali have been with the show and have grilled the characters while the new comers are understanding the concept and are putting equal amount of effort in the show. I am just not feeling any different and I am patiently making sure that they give in their best.
Has the new FIR connected with the audience?
I would say no, not yet. Kavita Kaushik took seven years to connect, nothing happens instantly and in given time it will. I am happily doing my job and I don’t think what people have in mind, because if they like the show they will watch it anyhow. More than me the actors are the ones who usually connect to the audience and they meet people on a regular basis.
What is new in the new FIR?
Honestly the cast is new, rest all the police drama and comedy is the same. We already have introduced the characters who are new. We cannot mingle and play around with the concept and the texture of the show. It would be the biggest risk so I would say the cast is new, but the element is same.The way they deal cases are little different and we are making it more humorous.
Did you face any competition from other shows?
No, I don’t feel any competition as I am sure that SAB TV has a niche and loyal audience and even if it is at 10.30 pm, people do watch the show. There’s nothing like the audience will not watch it as the audience of drama is different than comedy so I am quite okay with the time slot.
How many hours of work do you put in a day?
(smiles) 24 hours! I am constantly in touch with writers and producers as we change the script as and when required… its a daily show and getting in comedy everyday is itself a task so we work non-stop but its not that I don’t have a personal life. I have my personal space but when it comes to work I devote my heart and soul.
What are your future plans?
I am conceptualizing a romantic comedy and will soon shoot a pilot for the same. I don’t know when but talks are on but that doesn’t mean I will not do FIR. I am here to stay with FIR.
