Jamnadas Majethia... better known as JD in the industry has been there, done that. JD worked with Mudra Communications for two years as marketing executive and was responsible for looking after the sponsored programmes for Mudra Video.
On stage, he has been active in Gujarati theatre for the last 12 years. He formed a company Hats Off Productions with Aatish Kapadia, which he claims is the only group to record a hat-trick of double centuries for original plays; stories which were neither lifted nor inspired from elswewhere - Thank You Kokila (210 shows), Ek Beejane Gamta Rahiye (275 shows) and Aavje Vhala Fari Malishu (230 shows).
And as if that was not enough, he has also acted in five Gujarati films in the lead role. He has also co-produced 220 episodes of the daily soap Babul Ki Duwayien Leti Ja for Zee TV. Phew!!!
Well, he is the same guy who won the ABCL Productions' Star Trek contest a while ago. But unfortunately, the promised venture by ABCL did not take off. He tried his luck with acting in the Urmila-Sanjay Dutt starrerKhoobsurat , but the film did not create even a whimper at the turnstiles.
On the way, he also kept himself busy with ads. Till date, he has modelled for more than 75 brands - Bristol Cigarettes, Suzuki Samurai No Problem Bike, LG TVs, Saridon... to name a few.
And he has a few awards in his kitty as well. Count and you will find at least twenty awards for acting in inter-collegiate drama competitions plus the Gujarat State Award for a Gujarati film titled Darya Choru.
As of now, he is headlong into Khichdi - as a producer and actor.
Excerpts from the flamboyant producer cum actor's interview with indiantelevision.com's Vickey Lalwani:
How did Aatish Kapadia and you get together? |
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How did 'Khichdi' happen? |
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And then...? |
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Did you'll have any parameters that you'll worked on? |
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Is that the only reason behind Khichdi's success? |
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Could you elaborate on that? |
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As a producer, what is your involvement in the project? |
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How did you do the casting? |
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But did the channel allow you a free hand in the casting process? |
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Earlier you said that some of the characters are real. I beg to differ... I have a boy in my office. I sent him to Aatish at Khar, to get a signature on an important document. He went and by the time he came back to my office, I had left for the day. Next morning he tells me that he could not do the job. I demanded to know the reason. He explained: I reached Aatish's office. He was busy on the phone for 30-40 minutes, thereafter he came out of his cabin and left. I did not stop him because he looked solid busy. I was livid and told him that his antics would soon make shut my business down. He nodded and said, "mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai", (I too feel the same). Mind you, there was not even a grin on his face. He often does not understand what he says. Haven't you read the famous Suppandi stories in Tinkle? There are many Suppandis around you and me. Praful is one such Suppandi. All we have done is repainted the characters to suit the needs of the plot. |
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But why a Gujarati set up? Is it because Aatish and you are Gujjus? There is one more reason. Check this out. Compared to other states, Gujarat records higher TRP ratings for almost all shows. Our show set in the backdrop of a Gujarati household, would definitely have an added advantage of getting still better TRPs. |
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How do you make sure that every particular episode or scene will make people laugh? Plus we ensure that the show does not lose its freshness. We make sure that we don't repeat situations. We have enough incidents for inspiration from real life if we look closely enough. Plus, don't forget that there is a lot of emotion in the serial. You can't make people laugh, laugh and laugh. A time will come when it will all look stale. No serial can work without emotion in India. Like there is a character called Jackie, whose birthday comes once in four years. When he complains that he can't celebrate, his mom explains him that there are thousands of children in this poor country who don't even know when they were born. At times, we have even dealt with serious issues, though in a light manner - so it doesn't sound preachy. For instance, once we questioned why shouldn't a widow be allowed to put mehendi on her hands and lead her life as per her own wishes. Such episodes help to create the right balance. Have you earmarked any issues that you won't try to make people laugh? |
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Why did you suddenly start acting in the show? Do you think working for theatre has helped you guys in your work for television? Do you take your artistes' suggestions and give them a free hand? And when you don't get it right, what you do? So what's cooking after 'Khichdi'? Correct me if I am wrong... but aren't you working on a soap and a thriller? Where would you place both these shows? What is so special about Star Plus? |
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Recently, kids' participation in 'Khichdi' has been increased. Why? Plus, this way Shakalaka Boom Boom is being utilised to carry forward a spill-over audience into Khichdi. After this move, Khichdi has benefitted in terms of viewership. This is one example where they come in as shrewd businessmen. To be honest, we were quite reluctant when they suggested that kids participation in Khichdi be increased! |