Kumar Gautam, Writer and Creative Producer of Silver Ivory Productions’ Queens Hain Hum got candid with JustShowBiz

Excerpts:

Tell us about your career journey. What has been so special about it?

The entire journey has been special. The very fact that I have been able to write, create & execute all genres of a show, across all GEC’s channel; from crime to comedy, reality to fiction, mythology to family drama makes my journey enthralling. Yet I wish to create as many shows as I can with variety for the audience to binge on.

Queens Hain Hum is a very unique and bold subject. Comment

‘Queens Hain Hum’ symbolises sanskari modern Indian women of our times. By modern, I don’t mean women only following modern lifestyle but women who have broken shackles of stereotypes and are progressive-liberal in thoughts and practice. This whole idea makes the show unique. I personally don’t think our show is ‘bold’ per se considering the time we are living in and audience’s exposure to international content. But when compared to currently existing shows certainly we have tackled issues that can be tagged bold. For example, a woman reporting sexual harassment against female boss Jhanvi, Aakansha announcing divorce to her husband because he writes erotica that objectifies women, Shreya questioning her husband that why is he not making love to his legally wedded wife, Maya raising a son born out of one night stand, Queens asking Tanya to visit temple during her menstrual cycle and various likewise issues pertaining to daily life.

You are a writer too. What have you to say about the changing face of writing on TV?

I believe, there’s plethora of talent and intense willingness to tell a variety of story but there are few in a position to take the risk. Since there’s lot at stake in terms of TRP and advertisement with fierce competition around that larger goals die in achieving smaller goals which end up being vague goals after a while. But what immediately needs to be looked into is stereotyping of a female protagonist. We need to give defiant voice and strident purpose taking away patriarchal notions and sexism from our protagonist’s life. We just need to believe that we as writer and creator have the power to influence societal mindset for better.

 

The show has got a time slot of 6.30 in the evening. Comment.

I think it’s a positive move. “Queens Hain Hum” is a show about aspirations of women. I believe with a change in time slot, it will help us bringing in more housewives and girls from rural areas, small towns and satellite towns to watch our show.

 

The repeat telecast is at 11.30 pm. Do you think it will help?

More the repeats, popular is the show. Repeat at 11:30 ends the complaint of many working women in metropolitan and cosmopolitan cities who used to miss the show at 8 or were unable to freely watch the show in front of their in-laws or children because the show being non-regressive gives more power and freedom to characters to express.

 

Do you think instead of 8 pm the time slot should have been late night?

Understanding the fact that greater Indian middle class watches TV together, the ideal time slot would have been 10:30, when the family is over with dinner and children hit the bed. Then ladies could have enjoyed and followed the show with much freedom and ease.

 

The title of the show is quite unique too.

I personally believe all women are born queens and best creation of God. Henceforth team decided to go ahead with this title. And here in I insist you must listen to our theme song “Hum Dil Se Queen Hain” written by me which celebrates womanhood, women power and femininity with swagger.

 

What changes do you find in the industry over the years?

Certainly, industry is buzzing with opportunities. The time band of programming has been increasing in each channel. Film stars and celebrities from various fields are looking for opportunities to work on TV. Niche channels and niche programming is booming up. There’s a thing for one and all. If further standards and practices (S&P) regulation measures go liberal, digital and TV will organically merge to become one Gibraltar-like player in the entertainment market.