We wanted KY2 to be bold: Richa Yamini, Fiction Head, BBC

This woman needs no introduction, having had a successful career in  showbiz for the past 15 years. She started her career Basera, and today Richa Yamini is heading the Fiction Team of BBC.

Currently, her show Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan, is topping the charts among youth shows in India, and this woman surely knows how to win viewers’ heart with the right kind of drama.

In a detailed conversation with Tellychakkar.com, richa shares a lot about her career and life.

Take a look:

You have a great bag of work behind you, how do you look back at your career?
It has been a fun ride. From a small town in Patna, where work like creative heads were unheard of, I have had a very good and happy time. It has been around 15 years since I started my career as an Assistant Director, when the trend of creative and interesting projects was at a high. I worked with Balaji, BBC Delhi, Endemol, Sunshine Productions, 4 Lions and other popular production houses, before joining BBC as the Fiction Head.

You’ve worked with Miley Jab Hum Tum and Geet, how has youth shows changed today?
It has definitely changed as it is more urbanised. But on GECs, one needs to have a story that connects with all. But channels like MTV and Channel V have the ability to think ahead of times and also bring projects that are bold, but yes, within the boundary.

Is it risks or you have confidence to include bold subjects in your projects?
It is a calculative risk, which has a lot of loopholes but then it’s done to grab eyeballs also. KY2 is definitely a bold show and we wanted it to be like this. But yes, we do know the impact and thus,  balance out all spheres, be it love or friendship.

Since you started as an assistant director, any plans to move back into direction?
I am at a happy space currently. If ever I move to direction, it would definitely be in films. There is nothing much to contribute in TV as an individual, as it is a complete team work.

Do TRPs change your ideation or your ideation changes TRPs?
We change it, for TRPs don’t matter to us. We have proved that we have changed TRPs with the kind of content we provide. One needs to set conviction to change the game, and that is how it has been all along.

Do you feel bogged down as a creative when issues like actor not getting along hampers the show?
It does affect me as this show is my baby, and as a mother, I do tend to get worried. But we try to keep the off-screen troubles away and do not let it compromise our storytelling. We do try our best to sort the issues and keep a happy environment on sets.

How do you keep your professional and personal life separate?
It all depends on how to manage to deal with it. I think one should keep away from public domains and know how to handle issues in their personal level.

Any tips or suggestions to youngsters who want to get into the creative field?
I think the young generation is very quick to adapt and learn things. They know everything and are quite passionate. Just channelize your energies in the right path and also have patience. If you keep faith in yourself, you can do wonders for sure.