If anybody in the TV industry had the vision to predict ratings, he/she would have been very rich by now: Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary

Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s (Swastik Productions) magnum opus Mahabharat on Star Plus has just taken a 12 year leap. “We will now move to the main story. The Pandavas and Kauravas have grown up. Major parts of the shooting of the scenes which will now be telecast have been shot in the picturesque Amer Fort (Rajasthan).” Talking about the response which the earlier phase of his version of the greatest Indian mythological story had generated, Siddharth said, “I am humbled. The ratings have also been excellent. It was a challenge to interpret a saga which several people have their own takes about. I also received flack for showing too many sub plots but Mahabharat is full of stories, so if I don’t show them, I will not be doing justice to Ved Vyasa’s work.” He further refused to enter into a debate about how much spike will there be in the numbers given that the real drama has just taken off. “I am not a soothsayer and if anybody in the TV industry had the vision to predict ratings, he/she would have been very rich by now (smiles).” “I am just working very hard to make sure that I put in my best. This project has been in the pipeline for the past four years. I have had to invest a lot of creative and personal financial resources to get the required logistics in place. The channel will only make remittances as per contractual clauses,” maintains he. Asked about the casting process he says, “We have deliberately zeroed only on those actors who not only are great in their craft, but also are very dedicated to their work. Everybody is giving more than their hundred percent and the results are there for all to see. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that this good work continues right till the end.”