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How was the experience of writing Motu Patlu- King of Kings for a theatrical release?
The experience was very good. Writing for a feature film is very different from writing for a TV serial because TV serials have very limited budgets so you can’t think beyond a certain limit, you have to think within the budget. A movie budget is more so you can use your imagination to the fullest and write the way you want. The kick and josh of writing for a full fledged film is entirely different.
What are the challenges you faced writing for a full fledged film?
The challenge while writing Motu Patlu- King of Kings was to strictly make sure that the script wouldn’t look like any copy of anything done globally, it had to be absolutely original content and from India – that was the biggest challenges we had. Since it was the first time we were writing a full-fledged film we had to make sure it was different from the episodes of the TV serial. Besides this, we also had to make sure that the film would be accepted outside India too and the quality would be on par globally.
What inspired you to write for animation shows? Isn’t writing for it very different from the saas bahu kinds of serials?
I did the saas bahu kinds too for shows in Jakarta, Indonesia, but I enjoyed writing for Sone Pari, Shararat, Shakalaka Boom but whenever I would write, I’d think in terms of animation and the director would say that yeh toh definitely would fit animation better. So my soch was always wacky and great for animation and when I got the offer to write for Motu Patlu, I grabbed it. I think like a kid and I have always enjoyed writing for them. So I really enjoyed the experience of doing kids shows. So a branding also happens – like he’s a kid’s show writer – but it worked for me as I enjoy this kind of work.
You have also served the Indian Army… From army to entertainment industry… Tell us the story of this journey?
Yes, I was in the army. I left as a captain because I wanted to come to Bollywood. Let me tell you about my journey. I was born in Nagpur, I studied till graduation in Kanpur, Agra and a place called Sultanpur near Lucknow. Then I did my law in Raipur, Chhattisgarh and now I’m settled in Raipur(Chhattisgarh). After leaving the army, I came to Mumbai to follow my passion and the initial years were full of challenges as I didn’t know anyone in Mumbai. It took me two- three years to make contacts, and gradually I started getting work. My first serial was All the Best on DD Metro produced by Adhikari Brothers. People loved that serial and so I wrote more serials for Adhikari Brothers before moving on to UTV and other production houses. I have written for the biggest banners in Mumbai.
How do you see the Indian animation industry in the coming years?
The Indian animation segment has grown in leaps and bounds in the last 20 years. Earlier channels wouldn’t touch local content but today, every kids’ channel has three to four running Indian series. Shows like Motu Patlu, Rudra, Shiva, Bhoot Bandhus are loved by the kids so there’s a constant demand for new storylines and characters in animation. Stories are also changing. Kids are very smart these days – they watch global animation series and they demand the same quality. So Indian animations too have changed and the quality too has changed for the better.
Of course, the Indian animation world still has a long way to go more so because animation as a medium is basically thought that it is only meant for kids. It needs to grow more.
You have also done a Nepali film?
Yes I have done a Nepali film K Yo Maya Ho and some more work there. My serials like Sone Pari, Motu Patlu are very popular there.
Tell us sometime about the current projects you’re writing?
Motu Patlu has been running for 10 years – I have written all the episodes for it. I have also written and produced The Pandavas on Pogo and Rudra the magician on Nick.
Wouldn’t you like to try writing for other genres?
I would love to try other things but I have so much work in animation that I don’t have the time. But yes, I’m producing some regional films. I produced one regional film Main Bhi Kunwara Tahun Kuwari. I’m directing and producing another regional film too.
