Rajan Shahi’s banner Director’s Kut has always been able to create mighty women characters, and show to the audience different facets of strong women. Another interesting aspect is that the women characters created by Rajan Shahi have been of different age groups too.
The banner presently showcases the lives of four popular and strong women – Sirat, Anupamaa, Arundhati, Pratigya from their shows Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Anupamaa, Aai Kuthe Kaay Karte and Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2.
Producer Rajan Shahi gets into a frank talk with IWMBuzz.com where he starts talking about the strong women characters that have impacted television. He also talks of the special women in his personal and professional life.
Says Rajan, “When Shivangi Joshi came in as Naira in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, she had a unique strength and vision as a woman. Today, Sirat stands tall as a girl who has a great ambition, to become a boxer. It also talks about the concept of a sportswoman, a subject rarely touched upon in Indian television. Sirat goes through all turmoils, in spite of the handicap of her mother being her biggest enemy. Sirat empowers you to believe in dreams. This is an interesting angle we have shown in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. If Naira’s journey was limited to her family after one point, Sirat takes forward the passion of achieving whatever she wants.”
While Sirat inspires the youth, the same banner caters to inspiring the middle-aged women through another of its popular character, Anupamaa. “Anupamaa is a woman, traditionally a regressive homemaker, who has broken all odds and gathers the respect needed for homemakers. We live in a society where people have stopped thanking the homemakers or housewives. A show like Anupamaa came and got the respect for such women. She embodies and symbolizes a huge section of our society that has never been thanked. We have also taken ahead, Anupamaa’s journey as a teacher and dancer. Anupamaa driving a car was such a progressive episode you know, and garnered so much appreciation,” explains Rajan Shahi on his strong woman creation, Anupamaa.
“Coming to our 2021 launch Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2, the concept comes from a woman, Writer, Show Runner, created by Pearl Grey. Like Anupamaa, we show Pratigya who fabulously handles her family and profession as a lawyer. This concept will bring about a message that a woman can change society, can change her own family. The new season talks of her journey as a lawyer.”
“We also have Aai Kuthe Kaay Karte, where Madhurani’s character Arundhati is all about a woman who balances her singing career and family.”
Rajan Shahi salutes all the women who have inspired him. “DKP and Shahi Productions are very proud to have created such beautiful women characters. We salute these women. I personally thank Pearl Grey, as a Writer and Show Runner. She has made a name for herself, and her vision towards creativity is so large. She is spearheading Pratigya 2 which brings in all the relevance of making the woman character strong. The best part of Pratigya 2 is that it is being creatively helmed by a strong individual like Pearl Grey.”
“I also thank all the beautiful and strong women who are part of the DKP and Shahi Productions family. We have a huge representation of women (in all departments) who work day and night to make our shows success stories,” adds Rajan.
Talking about his personal life, Rajan goes on to talk of the women who are the pillars of his life. “On a personal level, there are two women who have defined me. They are my inspiration and motivation. They are my mother Deepa Shahi and daughter Ishika Shahi. They are two pillars of my life. I feel empowered that my mother has produced Anupamaa at this age. My daughter Ishika is moving ahead on her own merit in her modeling career.”
Last but not the least, Rajan wishes all the women viewers who appreciate good creativity and wishes them a very Happy Women’s Day.