By Anil Merani: Well-known Zee TV executive turned producer Sukesh Motwani (Co-Founder, Chief Creative Officer, and Director Bodhi Tree Multimedia) is all set to launch yet another tube show, Gudiya Rani on Dangal TV.
Set in the picturesque yet challenging backdrop of rural Madhya Pradesh, Gudiya Rani tells the heartfelt story of a six-year-old girl named Rani. To escape extreme poverty and secure a better future for her family, Rani bravely chooses to become the living, breathing Gudiya for Pari, a wealthy and indulged child.
As Rani takes on this new role, it not only brings stability to her family but also provides her with privileges, education, and care. However, her ultimate dream is to regain her freedom and return to her own life. Gudiya Rani beautifully captures Rani’s emotional journey as she balances her duties as Pari’s cherished Gudiya with her longing for personal freedom. This touching drama delves into themes of sacrifice, hope, and the relentless pursuit of personal freedom, evoking a sense of empathy in the audience.
Talking about the same, Sukesh, who has produced other TV shows such as Tedhi Medhi Family, Aap Ke Aa Jane Se and Nati Pinky Ki Lambi Love Story, says, “While showing the gritting poverty which afflicts India, we had to ensure that we don’t cross any social red lines.”
 “While high drama remains our cornerstone, we ensure that it does not become caricaturish and over the top. We want to remain focused on the story of the girl who, out of necessity, agrees to become a doll-like figure for the daughter of an indulgent rich father, which forms the crux of our narrative.”
“We also dwell on the price she pays to get an education and have a good life,” says he.
Sukesh added that Dangal immediately liked the above concept, which our writer Bhawna Vyas has penned. “I always work with channels like Dangal who get their audience.
Regarding the current TV landscape, Sukeshi Ji points out that channels operate in fear. “There’s a prevalent belief that if a show doesn’t gain traction within four to six weeks, it’s a lost cause. This situation causes a lot of stress to producers who already work on thin margins. This insight into the industry’s challenges and pressures will leave the audience feeling more informed about the TV landscape.” says he
He talks about the rising importance of the OTT view of TV shows, ” while I can only say a little as I need the data. It is sufficient to say some daily shows survive a bit longer on the back of good www eyeballs. But yes, TRP remains the main decider.”
There is no third-party online data aggregator!, ” yes, but the essential advertisers depend on the authentic data supplied by credible channels.”
We then asked Sukesh about his experience producing ‘Class” for Netflix India (2023) ‘. He shared that it was a fun experience, “but the turnaround time of 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant challenge. These unforeseen circumstances are beyond our control, but we strive to adapt and deliver quality content.”
 “The big difference in making OTT is how to make the audience binge on your content. The positive here is that you know the start, middle and end. On the other hand, in TV, you need to make your characters endearing for a long time with all the required hook-points.”
“While the tube sticks to family matters, OTT deals with many different subjects” added Sukesh, who has made web shows like Gunaah (Disney Hotstar) and The Raikar Case (Voot).
Sukesh has always attempted to be different. No wonder his first TV production, Nisha Aur Uske Cousins, was a non-sas-bahu show on a hardcore family drama channel. “This experiment, which ran for 300 episodes, dealt with the interaction between cousins” ended he.
