| Interview with Cinevistaas'
co founder Prem Kishen |
| |
| "We intend having three to four serials on each satellite channel" |
 |
|
|
| Posted
on 2 September 2002 |
| |
| Prem Kishen, along with
Sunil Mehta, started the TV production house, Cinevistaas, nearly
17 years ago. After producing scores of successful serials - including
the hugely popular Gul Gulshan Gulfaam and Junoon and
the current hits - Sanjivani Sshh Koi Hai, they have now expanded
into a new area of business. |
| |
| Cinevistaas has recently
acquired a huge studio at KanjurMarg in suburban Mumbai. The duo plans
to spruce it up with the best facilities and make it a state of the
art shooting experience that can be availed of even by Hollywood.Cinevistaas
also plans to get into full-fledged production of feature films.
|
| |
| In an interview with indiantelevision.com
correspondent Amar, Prem Kishen talks at length about the company'
s future plans. Excerpts - |
| |
Can you tell us more about
the new studio that you have acquired at Kanjur Marg?
Yes, we have just acquired this state of the art studio spread across
five acres in Kanjur Marg. Basically, we were planning to acquire
this space for quite some time. In fact, the basic objective of our
public issue was setting up this studio. It's just that it took us
a long time to finalise the location. This would be a one of its kind
studio with all facilities and departments - lighting, cameras, the
art department, the sets and planks and the best production facilities
under one roof. Besides, it will have the largest shooting floor in
India. In fact, the facilities we plan to provide are exemplary, so
much so that we even hope to have people from Hollywood coming in
and shooting here in the future. Obviously, we have made a huge investment
in it and also expect to reap rich profits. |
| |
What has been your investment
and what profits do you expect vis-a-vis the investments?
I wouldn' t like to disclose the figures and this is also because
I consider myself only a creative person and don't bother myself with
financial details. |
| |
 |
"I believe that mergers and partnerships are the way to grow in present times"
| |
|
| |
Of late, Cinevistaas has
been producing a lot of programmes as co-productions with Contiloe
and now with Kaarnik. Does Cinevistaas need co-productions?
I believe that mergers and partnerships are the way to grow in present
times. We all have our limitations as far as our creative faculties
are concerned and I feel it is only right to involve other people
who have bright ideas but do not have adequate resources. In principle,
I am open to partnerships with anybody. |
| |
But what is your agreement
with Contiloe or Kaarnik?
I wouldn't like to go into the intricacies except that we have divided
work areas between us depending on our strengths and of course, we
share profits as well. |
| |
Which genres appeal to
you?
Personally, I'm open to all genres as long as I can create a good
product and have no specific favourites.
Over the years, we have excelled in almost every genre - costume drama,
comedy, drama, thrillers and in the future, plan to cater to every
possible genre. |
| |
On what basis do you choose
a channel?
We are open to any channel. The only criterion is the deal offered
by the channel at a given point of time. |
| |
Cinevistaas has also ventured into film
production. Can you elaborate on your plans as far as film production
goes?
Well, we plan to develop into an all-pervasive production house, well
diversified into serials, feature films, corporate and ad-films and
music. So, in future we plan to take up several movies in the same
way as we do serials. But I can't comment on when these movies would
go on the floors, as a lot would depend on the market conditions.
|
| |
| Our first movie,Yeh Mohabbat
Hai was a co-production with Eagle Films. Our second movie, an
independent project and for which we have signed Salman Khan, will
go on the floors very soon. |
| |
"Yeh
Mohabbat Hai's unimpressive
performance had dealt
us a bit of a setback
but we are already
on our way
to recovery" |
 |
|
|
| |
How do you divide responsibilities
with your partner, Sunil Mehta?
Sunil concentrates on the finance and scripting of our serials, while
I look after the execution of projects. |
| |
Sunil's and your sons
are also actively involved with the company. Are they being groomed
to take over the reins of the company?
Well, yes, you can say that. Sanjivani is my son Siddharth
Malhotra's baby and he is involved with it in every possible way,
whereas Sunil's son Uday Singh looks after Ssshh Koi Hai...
Sunil's other son, Vijay Singh is looking after our film production
business. They are capable boys and have handled their respective
projects superbly. Obviously, they are going to play a significant
role in shaping Cinevistaas' future. |
| |
Does Cinevistaas not plan
to put programmes on DD again like SABe TV did?
It's true that Doordarshan used to be a major strategic ally for us
some two years ago. But right now, we are locked in a court battle
with them for canceling the telecast of our game show Knockout
just days before it was scheduled to start. Till the matter is sub
judice, I would not like to talk about any future association
that we might get into with DD. |
| |
In spite of being an early
starter and having been in the business for nearly 17 years,Cinevistaas
has not really matched the success of a Balaji or UTV as far as the
programming volumes is concerned. Where has it failed?
I don't think we have failed anywhere. In fact, our performance has
been the most consistent for a production house that has been in the
business for so long. It's just that at present we have fewer programmes
on air, but this phase will soon change. Actually, our movie Yeh
Mohabbat Hai's unimpressive performance had dealt us a bit of
a setback but we are already on our way to recovery. In the next few
weeks, we will have a daily soap on air even though I would not like
to talk about it right now. |
| |
How do you see things shaping
up for Cinevistaas in the near future?
I see ourselves progressing on all fronts. We intend having three
to four serials on each of the satellite channels. At least one movie
- the one with Salman, will go on the floors. Besides, we expect to
complete the installation of all facilities in this studio, which
we have acquired. In fact we are already in talks with a couple of
Hollywood producers to utilize our studio and when that happens, it
will be a major achievement for us. |
