Director Ismail Umar Khan, who is currently directing ‘Saubhagyavati Bhava’, says that it has been an amazing journey till now. Talking about how it all shaped up, he says that he had his goals for what he wanted to do very clear in his mind.
“I began my journey in the entertainment industry with a bang in the 1995-2000 era, working on Shaktiman. Soon, I joined Balaji and realised my dream of becoming an independent director with ‘Kabhi Souten Kabhi Saheli’, thanks to the support of my mentors Ekta Kapoor and Nivedita Basu,” he says, adding, “I continued my career with notable shows like Hatim and Prithviraj Chauhan on Star Plus. But it was the show ‘Dulhan’ that brought me fame and made history. Following that, I directed popular series like ‘Mahadev’ and ‘Saubhagyawati Bhava’ on Life OK.”
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He adds, “As OTT platforms like Zee5 and Alt were emerging in India, I recognised the challenge for TV technicians to transition to films and OTT content. I aimed to create universally appealing and marketable content. To do so, I ventured into making web series with my own funding. I wrote the script, story, screenplay, and dialogues on my mobile, focusing on bold yet humorous content without resorting to explicit or crude elements. I didn’t want it to be like a stand-up comedy show, where everyone is funny, as that can feel unrealistic. Finally, my film ‘One Stop For Love’ made it to the Zee5 premium category. Post-Covid, I started working on “Rang Jaun Tere Rang Mein ,” which became a top-rated show on Dangal TV.”
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Talking about directing Saubhagyavati Bhava, he says, “Directing ‘Saubhagyawati Bhava 2’ is an exciting project. However, the TV industry’s demand for constant content, often with a 6-7 day workweek, can be overwhelming. It feels like a never-ending and exhausting routine, making the job more repetitive and less creative. I was hired exclusively to direct Viraj Dobriyal (Karanveer Bohra’s) track since I was part of around 200 episodes of last season. Only three person knows the character the best, show runner/writer Anshuman Sinha me & Viraj Dobriyal. These were the words of Anshuman Sinha the reason to get me on board.”
Working in the TV industry is not as easy as it looks, says the director, adding, “The entire process, from creating content to delivering the final product, often involves compromises in the TV industry. These compromises are often driven by marketing strategies, and they have a negative impact on everyone involved. In the world of movies, it seems like the heart and soul of storytelling is missing, and there’s a lack of the fun and engaging elements that used to be a part of great films. Instead, we see many films trying too hard to be funny, and it feels forced, which is frustrating for me as a creative person and even as a viewer.”
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He says, “I’m seeking a change that allows more room for creativity. In the past, the best part of this job was creating entertainment, but now it often feels like working under constant tension and pressure.”
