Star Plus’ new show Sanjivani 2’s Creator- Producer Siddhar P. Malhotra of Alchemy Productions are also venturing projects in Bollywood and Telegu television. Just ShowBiz talked with him about how he want to shape up Sanjivani 2, what make him produce second season of Sanjivani, his Telegu show Madumasam and his ventures in Bollywood.

Excerpts:

Sanjivani is been a cult show in past, what prompts u to take this path?

“My intent was to

do a medical drama.”

I have taken the story ahead. I wanted to do a medical show. That medical show could have been with any name but decision to call Sanjivani is by channel Star Plus. The reason behind that Sanjivani has certain brand value and a recall value. Since, we already have a hospital named Sanjivani with characters, we added more characters to move story ahead. My intent was to a medical show of today times. 

Trp of show is better in the first month itself, was it expected?

We expected better than this actually but we are happy with whatever reception the show has got till now. We hope that it will climb to the numbers as expected.

Show has a very different concept from saas-bahu shows, how much positive you are for its survival?

“Sanjivani is a

clutter-breaking show.”

Sanjivani is a clutter breaker among saas-bahu shows. If you realize that before and after Sanjivani’s episodic telecast, similar shows are telecasting its episodes. So, a channel who is famous for kitchen politics and saas-bahu shows, it is breaking trends on that channel.It has zero saas-bahu and absolute nil kitchen politics. The idea is to make the show lovable and acceptable. I am happy that people are really appreciating the pair and the show as well. We all are working hard to getting it to the top. 

People are bound to compare it with first season, how do you handle it?

“Sometimes we just

learn and

live with it.”

Actually, people are comparing Dill Mill Gaye which was after Sanjivan’s first season. These are all my babies. I created Sanjivani before and Dill Mill Gaye later. These were all my shows which are a benchmark. Its a good thing that people are not comparing to any one else’ shows. They are comparing it my shows only . I think there is lot learning that goes. I came to know what’s worth and what’s ought to be done. Change is evident and audience have also changed. Rather, it’s good thing that they are comparing. Sometimes we just learn and live with it. 

Surbhi and Namit are fresh pairing to this show. What is the reason to choose them?

“Sanjivani required

dynamism of

fresh pairing.”

It’s basically the characters which became reasons of them being chosen for leads of show. Namit as Dr. Sid was with us for like seven months before female lead. He was auditioning with every girl we were focusing to be female lead. Dr. Ishani’s character was a tough one. We were not able to find the right heroine before Surbhi step in. After Ishqbaaz we sat and spoke. We did around 4 tests together and we got convinced that pair will work. It will be a fresh pairing. 

If I would have gone for Nakuul Mehta’s and her pairing again, it would have become Ishqbaaz like Ishqbaaz in a hospital. I didn’t wanted that. Show required dynamism of fresh paring. Both of these actors are hungry actors and good people to work with. So, that’s how they came together. 

Fans are calling them SidIsha, whats future holds for them about SidIsha?

“Their love story

will be fiery.”

I think the future is very strong for them. I am flooded with several comments and suggestions on social media about the way I should take their story. I have been asked repeatedly why I am not doing segments on SBS or something. I have worked with great paring in past like Armaan-Riddhima, Rahul-Juhi. Their love story hasn’t begun yet. So, when it will start, it will be fiery.  And, we are heading towards it story wise.

Sanjivani is like ur baby, u have created it, how would you like to shape up forward?

It’s like I am father of two children and a learning parent. Sanjivani is like my child and when you bring up a child, you have to identify what is good and bad for child. You love your children unconditionally and equally.  You do everything for the betterment of child. I am treating Sanjivani like a child in my family. I must give my best to my child and try my unit to give their best. If you don’t give the love and nurturing required, the baby will become a spoilt brat. I don’t want that to happen. I want a well mannered child. 

Alchemy productions is also producing one Telugu show Madhumasam tell us something about that?

“Madhumasam is a

youth based show.”

Basically, Gemini TV called me. They wanted to do something which appeal to the youth because they have all shows appealing to elder audience. They wanted a Bollywood producer to give them a theme of change. Since, Alchemy Productions have given youth based shows so they have chosen me to make a show youth based. It’s a show of a selfish girl who in overnight become responsible for a family, that she thought is not hers. Hence, she become selfless and learnt about many things of life at a tender age of 21.  The show has romance, rom-com feel, family and emotions. It’s a welcome change for them and for me I have never done something like this before. I write it in English, then they translate into Telegu. The episodes are looking good. It has opened well and last week it has TRP of 2.11. Hopefully, it will climb further.

You film Hitchki got world wide recognition, are you venturing into new projects of Bollywood?

I have been to lot of stories which are relevant. That is my key point. Very soon you will be hearing about my next film. The script is over and we will be announcing soon. 

Do you believe that entertainment medium can be a portal to send a message of humanity?

“If you believe

you can, then

you will.”

Absolutely, I do! It’s a responsibility of every person in this entertainment line to try and make the difference. If you have given a power to make the difference as a creator, then why not make the difference. Like, take Raju Hirani, every film has made the difference or Rishikesh Mukharjee. It’s what you believe. If you believe that you can, you will. For me, this question becomes very compulsory. If somebody can learn something from my work, then it’s good but entertainment will be a quotient for sure.   

What do u wish to says to viewers of Sanjivani?

I want Sanjivani to be accepted in large, by everybody. I want to tell them that we are working very hard. The entire team is working with dedication and passion. We hope that viewers continue to like it and Sanjivani family grows in every possible way. I would like to tell them to keep giving love and we are reading all your comments. We are keeping their suggestions into consideration and progress ahead.