ITV

Tag: Anita Kaul Basu

  • Sukrit Gupta and Sayudh Ray are the winners of Sony LIV’s Quizzer of the Year

    Sukrit Gupta and Sayudh Ray are the winners of Sony LIV’s Quizzer of the Year

    Mumbai: After months of intense competition and intellectually stimulating quizzes, Sony LIV’s Quizzer of the Year (QOTY) finally reached its grand finale on 26 May. The show, which captured the hearts and minds of quiz enthusiasts across the country, culminated in an epic showdown that saw four teams battling for the ultimate title. From navigating through a series of challenging rounds, boasting fierce face-offs between 64 teams from over 2000 Indian schools, Sukrit Gupta and Sayudh Ray of Delhi Public School, Newtown, Rajarhat, Kolkata emerged as the champions of the first season of Quizzer of the Year securing an educational scholarship worth rupees one crore.

    Sukrit Gupta, a class ten student with a keen interest in computer science, has been an avid quizzer since his friends introduced him to the club. Having lived in Kolkata for most of his life, Sukrit enjoys topics like tech, music, history, and literature. On the other hand, Sayudh Ray, who just completed his class ten board exams, shares a passion for history and economics. With both parents being Ayurvedic doctors, Sayudh is still exploring his future career options. Together, their diverse knowledge and great teamwork led them to victory on Quizzer of the Year.

    The top four finalists who made it to QOTY’s grand finale were:

    1    Sukrit Gupta and Sayudh Ray of Delhi Public School Newtown, Rajarhat, Kolkata
    2    Sreenandh Sudheesh P and Navaneeth Krishnan of Govt Model Hr. Sec. School Calicut University, Kozhikode
    3    Garvish Jain and Sarth Khandelwal of St. Anthony’s Senior Secondary School, Udaipur
    4    Ojasvit Pasricha and Aashman Tripathi of Sheiling House School, Kanpur

    While Sukit and Sayudh bagged the coveted title and huge scholarship, Sreenadh Sudheesh P and Navaneeth Krishnan emerged as the first runners-up of QOTY, winning a scholarship of 50 lakh rupees. Furthermore, the second runners-up, Garvish Jain and Sarth Khandelwal, secured a scholarship of 20 lakh rupees.

    Quizzer of the Year, presented by the legendary quizmaster of India, Siddhartha Basu, is an innovative quiz show conceptualised by Anita Kaul Basu and the team at Tree of Knowledge Digital (DIGITOK). Blending traditional learning with infotainment, the show provided students with a platform to test their knowledge beyond textbooks. The journey began with daily quizzes, followed by zonal rounds, and culminated in a high-stakes national championship. QOTY featured seasoned quizmasters Joy Bhattacharjya and Col. Vembu Shankar in the zonal rounds, alongside Siddhartha Basu himself hosting the quarterfinals, semifinals, and grand finale.

    Quizmaster Siddhartha Basu, the creator and host of QOTY, expressed, “It was terrific to quiz a pick of the smartest school students of the country for the final leg of Quizzer of the Year, which was the culmination of a year long digital engagement on the QOTY app on Sony LIV. In progressively tougher stages, qualifiers clashed in a series of exciting and closely fought zonal & national level encounters which climaxed in a grand final going to the wire ultimately streaming on the platform for the viewers. Congratulations to the worthy victors and challengers for the mental mettle with which they vied for top honours, and the most handsome rewards ever offered in India for an all-India inter-school quiz championship. I hope it acts as a spur to fuel the curiosity of young minds, expand their general knowledge, and test it in a fun way on an ongoing basis. That’s the aim of the QOTY app & contest.”

    Catch all the episodes of Quizzer of the Year streaming now exclusively on Sony LIV!

  • Siddhartha Basu’s ‘Quizzer Of The Year’ to air its championship rounds from 15 April only on Sony LIV

    Siddhartha Basu’s ‘Quizzer Of The Year’ to air its championship rounds from 15 April only on Sony LIV

    Mumbai: Get ready for the ultimate quiz championship of the year! Sony LIV’s Quizzer Of The Year (QOTY), a nationwide challenge is all set to air and capture the imagination of quiz enthusiasts across the country. As the competition heats up, the platform is excited to announce the launch of its final rounds, promising edge-of-your-seat excitement, and fierce competition like never before! Presented by India’s grand quizmaster, Siddhartha Basu, the show is conceptualised by Anita Kaul Basu and the team at Tree of Knowledge Digital (Digitok).

    Quizzer Of The Year aims to give an exciting twist to traditional learning and explores the format of infotainment in India. In today’s world, students are not just focused on academic excellence; they also crave new experiences and knowledge beyond their textbooks, from the world around them. QOTY provides students of class IX to XII a platform to test their abilities and knowledge against peers from across the country.

    QOTY is divided into three phases, with phase one of daily quizzes already concluded. 64 teams, progressed to represent each zone, that emerged from a pool of over 2000 schools, spanning across more than 300 cities. Later, top teams from each zone will eventually move ahead and fight to win the National Championship, ‘Quizzer Of The Year’ title and stand a chance to win an educational scholarship of rupees 1 crore. The team that comes second and third will also stand a chance to win an educational scholarship of rupees 50 lakhs and 20 lakhs respectively.

    QOTY will begin streaming exclusively on Sony LIV from 15 April, kick-starting with episodes from the Zonal rounds hosted by seasoned quizmasters Joy Bhattacharjya and Col Vembu Shankar, Indian Army veteran. Winning teams will advance to the quarterfinals, semi-finals, finals hosted by Siddhartha Basu, with the ultimate winner being crowned the Quizzer Of The Year.

    Presenter and creator Siddhartha Basu, “For the past year, our team at Tree of Knowledge Digital (Digitok) has diligently worked to engage with the top high school quizzers from across India to select teams for the national play-offs. We aimed to make QOTY inclusive, allowing everyone to play, test, and expand their knowledge through quizzing. Even those who didn’t qualify for further rounds can continue playing on the app round the year. With my four decades-long involvement in infotainment, I am excited to venture into the world of OTT with Sony LIV to reach students beyond all barriers. We hope QOTY becomes a tool for fostering a factual culture and building a strong knowledgeable community among young minds.”

    Watch Quizzer Of The Year exclusively from 15 April, Mon-Sun at 11 am only on Sony LIV!

  • ‘KBC 8’ to roll out in August

    ‘KBC 8’ to roll out in August

    MUMBAI: One of Sony Entertainment’s biggest property, knowledge-based show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is back and hopefully with a spike in viewership this time! In season eight of the game show, Cadbury continues to be the title sponsor and is powered by Idea.

     

    KBC, the Indian adaptation of the original format, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, catapulted Star Plus’s popularity and boosted Sony’s viewership once upon a time. In season seven, it completely surprised viewers with a new avatar in terms of format, level of audience engagement, prize money and so on, but did not go well as expected in terms of ratings.

     

    In order to gain more attraction this time, the channel has started to create buzz well in advance. Big Synergy director Anita Kaul Basu revealed that the show will go on-floors in July and on-air sometime in August. She further revealed that there will be a few changes in the format as well but that is all on ideation stage currently. “It is too early to talk on this. We have a lot of ideas as to how to go about it, but we haven’t given a nod to any,” said Basu.

     

    Basu who has given a new dimension to Indian television by producing KBC believes one needs to keep re-inventing to bring in the fresh perspective. Whether it is in terms of format or creative, with every season it has enthralled the audiences with its content.

     

    Hosted by inimitable host, Amitabh Bachchan, this season has kicked off with the line – “Iss manch se koi bhi khali haath nahi jaata”. Registrations for the same have already started from 5 May where questions are asked regularly on Sony at 9pm every night.

     

    Potential participants have to answer these correctly in order to have a chance to be on the hot seat. This season, aspiring contestants have access to two new platforms to reach the hot seat: They can download the KBC official app and register by sharing the correct answer, their age and gender.  Also registration is possible via sending an SMS to 5252525 with the correct answer along with necessary details.

     

     Idea users can register themselves simply by sending an SMS from their Idea mobile. Additionally, viewers can also opt for registration through BSNL landline phones or via Idea IVRS code. Alternatively, viewers can log on to kbcsony.com to register for their shot at the ‘Hot Seat’.

     

    In an earlier interaction, MSM CEO NP Singh had agreed to the fact that KBC needed some innovation with every season. “We have to continue to innovate and so we have brought several innovations in KBC. Though it was well received in the beginning, eventually it settled down at a lower number. But that doesn’t mean there is fatigue with the format of the show. We will do something more when we bring KBC the next time.”

     

    Sony SVP head- marketing Gaurav Seth believes that the show is a reflection of the hopes and aspirations of millions of people who are looking at transforming their lives. He said, “This year we are attempting to bring the show closer to our viewers by engaging various mediums through which they can enhance their chance to be on the much coveted hot seat. We are confident that once the season gets underway, it will strike a deep emotional chord with the entire country, like never before.”

  • Made for each other

    Made for each other

    MUMBAI: Times have changed considerably, couples no longer share the same equation they once did. In this age and time when independence is craved for by both men and women, couples who work together open new vistas for them. Not only does working together keep them connected through out the day but also streghtens the understanding of each other as individuals.

    On this Valentine Day, let’s have a look at the copuples who celebrate their lives togehter; professionally and persoanlly.

     

    Discovering love at work

     

    He was her boss and she was just starting her career, and now after 15 years, they are a couple to reckon with. One is a proud owner of an independent advertising agency while the other with over three decades of experience is an industry veteran.

    Priti Nair and KS Chakravarthy aka Chax recently celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary. They’ve been around for decades now and what started as a fan’s devotion for her idol turned way serious as time progressed.

    “What I am today in my profession is all thanks to Chax. He taught me everything about advertising,” says Priti, who feels that if a couple are in the same industry, it becomes easier to understand each other.

    Priti Nair and KS Chakravarthy, advertising professionals

    “Our industry is very demanding and schedules can go haywire anytime so if the other person doesn’t understand that, it can cause issues. A couple needs to understand and respect what each person does, no matter in which field because unless there is respect for each other, a relationship will never work,” she says.

    Like any other couple, Priti and Chax too went through their share of ups and downs. The seven-year itch hit them hard and they both decided to live separately to sort out issues rather than complicate things further. However, after seven years of separation, they got back together last year. Ask if there are any special plans for V-Day and Priti laughs it off saying she’s been celebrating V-Day for the last seven years with her family and so the two of them will spend it with family this year as well…

    The two make it a point to spend some time with family and watch a movie or a series together every week to keep work out of the equation.

     

    Keeping monotony out for a life-long affair

     

    He’s Bengali and she’s Maharashatrian but Maximum City seems to have diminished the regional divide.

    Pranali and Soumya Sarkar met 10 years back while working in the same media agency. They were part of the same team but their clients were different. But it didn’t matter as they dated each other for a year before tying the knot.

    Working the same hours with the same set of colleagues can be a boon for many but Soumya feels it is the understanding between the couple which helps strengthen a relationship. Working in the same industry can have its pros and cons, especially when the industry is a demanding one. “One cannot ignore personal life as one can interconnect their personal and professional lives as they work in the same space,” he says, stressing one can’t take the other for granted, thinking he/she will ‘understand’.

    Pranali and Soumya Sarkar, media planners

    The media planners will celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary in March with a vacation abroad. A vacation every year and an outing every month is a norm for this couple which feels the busy work-home schedule leaves one with little or no time for weekly recreation. They have a daughter and firmly believe spending time outside of work is a must for every couple else life will become monotonous.

     

    Living dreams together

     

    21 years of teasing, fighting, mood swings, grudges… but they’re still together. We’re talking about Sumeet and Shashi Mittal, founders of Shashi Sumeet Productions aka Two’s Company.

    It was love at first sight for Shashi who was but 15 years of age and in class Xth. The duo studied in the same school in Ahmedabad. Shashi proposed Sumeet and they got hitched in 1991.

    Sumeet Mittal and Shashi Mittal

    In 1998, they shifted base to Mumbai to foray into the entertainment industry. Sumeet, who had always wanted to become an actor, went on to launch his own production house. For Sumeet, Shashi has been his biggest support.

    With V-Day almost upon us, we asked them how they find time for each other while working in this industry.

    “Nowadays when you are working together for more than 18 hours a day, we don’t get quality time to spend with each other. You become more kind of co-workers rather than a couple. We have always kept our professional lives higher than our personal lives. There are differences at times,” says Sumeet. How do they keep a work-life balance? “At work, you should be a good acquaintance and at home, a good husband-wife. We have struggled to maintain that for ages,” says Sumeet. “She has been a great support throughout. She has stood by me always. I am happy and lucky to have her in my life.”

    About keeping the romance alive after all these years, he says: “Now we argue also smilingly. We have learnt to deal with things now. This is our new funda to keep ourselves charged up during work,” he laughs.

    This V-Day is very special for them. “We have our home in Mumbai, so this year on V-Day, it is our new home’s first anniversary. We are very excited about it. In a way we are renewing our relationship. In a way celebrating our first anniversary,” he signs off.

     

    Mutual respect makes it easier

     

    She is one of the few women behind a successful news channel and a TV production house while her husband is into journalism, TV production and the political scene. BAG MD and chairperson Anurradha Prasad still manages to balance her personal and professional life with hubby Rajeev Shukla. Dismissing V-Day as a marketing gimmick, Prasad says that with such a busy schedule, the quality rather than quantity of time matters. Having been in the same field, both of them understand the busy nature of their lives and refrain from cribbing about it. “It was difficult to explain to my family as to why I had odd work hours but Rajeev understood it. It’s necessary to respect each other as well as your professions,” says Prasad.

    Anurradha Prasad and Rajeev Shukla, media professionals

    Earlier, going out on ‘dates’ was common but now, quality time is all about spending time at home with daughter Vaanya. “We dedicate an hour or two every morning, before we leave for work, to talking about home and office affairs because once you leave home, you never know what time you will be back,” she says, adding that V-Day shouldn’t be restricted only to couples. She signs off advising those in love to keep the respect in the relationship intact and always be happy…

     

    Love at first sight became a life-long affair

     

    She had returned from London and got herself enrolled in Miranda House, Delhi University, where she got actively involved in theatre. He, on the other hand, was completing his Master’s at St. Stephen’s College, DU. He, who was popular for his good looks besides his wittiness, was the star of the theatre circuit organising auditions for The Serpent – a biblical play. She was driven by her close friend Mira Nair for the auditions, who thought the guy was worthy of checking out. He was already in love with her before she could check him out.

    Siddhartha and Anita Kaul Basu, TV personalities

    It was love at first sight for Siddhartha Basu and his wife Anita Kaul Basu. The couple, who got married in 1983 after eight years of courtship, is still as much in love as they were when they started their relationship. “The little things of life haven’t shaken the bond that we share,” says Anita while talking about her relationship with her husband, with whom she spends almost her entire day at the Big Synergy Media office.

    It’s been more than 25 years that the production house was started and the couple still manages to churn out amazing stuff. While Siddhartha made a mark in the TV industry as a quiz master in the early eighties, Anita made a name in journalism. It was their diverse knowledge that became the back-bone of the production house where Siddhartha works as the Chairman and Managing Director and Anita is the Director.

    The good work from Big Synergy has all been because of the understanding that the couple shares, believes Anita. “What has kept us strong is that for both of us, money, power, popularity, etc. comes much later. Our understanding is of the utmost importance and that helps us in our work also,” she says.

    They both go to office together and come back together. Except a few outstation trips that keep them apart for a little while, the Basus are always together. “While I use my organizational skills, Sid uses his managerial skills to keep the company going ahead,” she says.

     

    Sky is the limit with love around

     

    They are almost the rulers of the television world with credit to some of the most popular and interesting drama series on the tube. Their stories touch the emotional chords of the masses.

    We are talking about the owners of DJ’s Creative Unit – Tony and Deeya Singh, who set out to live their dreams together. It was the summer of 91 when the two started working together, which also started a new chapter of in their lives. The cupid struck them while they were busy meeting the work deadlines. Nobody could guess the romance that was brewing but the feeling was so strong that they got engaged within six months and married by December 91. In 1993, the couple launched their own production house and delivered hit shows like Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Banegi Apni Baat, Just Mohabbat, Left Right Left among many others.

     

    Tony and Deeya Singh

    As love is in the air, we asked them about their way to celebrate love amid work and the pressure to meet deadlines and if working in the same industry is a boon? “We celebrate Valentine’s Day on our shows. It keeps us bonded,” says Deeya.

    Their kids also play a major role in keeping the love and affection intact. Spending quality time with kids is of more importance to the couple now. “My kids do a lot for us on this day. It’s more about family love now,” she laughs.

    Her best moments are when in the middle of work, they take out time for each other. “Sometimes, eating at the road side is more fun than at the five star hotels. A quite candle light dinner on the terrace with the entire family also becomes a great moment,” she remembers.

    There are quite a few pros of working in the same industry, believes Deeya as she thinks there’s always someone to back you. “There are more pros to it because in an industry like this you need a very strong support system. The vision and goals are the same. However, it’s not fun to think similar. It’s good to be a little contrary and think differently,” she concludes.

  • The science behind KBC’s theme

    The science behind KBC’s theme

    MUMBAI: Remember the “Unwanted” girl who goes on to win Kaun Banega Crorepati? The power of knowledge (Sirf Gyaan Hi Aapko Aapka Haq Dilata Hai) helped her reach the hot seat but imagine what would have happened if she had stopped there? Most of us tend do stop learning after we reach a certain position and certain stature. This year, viewers of Sony Entertainment have been watching the Big B Amitabh Bachchan coming on their TV screens, reminding them Seekhna Band…Toh Jeetna Band.

     

    Yes, that is the theme for this year’s KBC. Taking a step forward from last year’s theme, the show plans to motivate its viewers to continue learning through its campaign, which went on air a couple of weeks ago. Sony Entertainment Television senior VP and marketing head Gaurav Seth explains, “The theme ties in beautifully with the idea of KBC. In life and in KBC when you become complacent and arrogant that is when you understand that you have lost in both life and KBC.”

     

    From Koi Bhi Sawaal Chhota Nahi Hota to Seekhna Band…Toh Jeetna Band, the channel has come up with innovative messaging almost every year. And don’t be foolish to think that these just fall out of thin air. It takes four to five months of brainstorming, two-days of workshopping by all concerned entities (SET, Big Synergy, Leo Burnett) to weigh the pros and cons, before the theme is finalized.

     

    “Every year the mood of the nation changes, we need to be abreast with what is happening in the country and incorporate it in the brand message without losing out on the show’s uniqueness ,” says Leo Burnett’s executive creative director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari who has been associated with KBC’s creative since it was first aired on Sony.

     

    The obvious question that everyone has on their minds is why have a theme? Isn’t it just a game show? “It is not a game, it is a life changer,” comes the unanimous response from Seth and Tiwari. Both go on to elaborate that the show connects with people and themes only go on to humanise the concept. “The theme is resonant with Indian society,” says Seth.

     

    The current theme works around inculcating the spirit of learning at every stage of life. Citing Big B’s example they both say, “Even today a great man like him doesn’t shy away from an opportunity to learn. So, why should we?” The same message has been very satirically incorporated in the two promos, directed by Amit Sharma of Chrome Pictures, which are on air right now.

     

    Tiwari elaborates, “Through the show’s brand campaign we are taking a righteous stand which will only go on to help our viewers who in some way or the other will pay heed to it because Big B is saying it.”

     

    Kicking in the buzz for KBC

     

    Almost a crore wannabe KBC-ers have registered themselves to get closer to the hot seat. And while the production house is busy finalizing the contestants, Sony Entertainment Television is working at devising ways to both attract and engage audiences.

     

    “KBC has transformed entertainment and we are working at creating the buzz,” says SET senior VP & marketing head Gaurav Seth. The channel is currently busy with designing online and on-ground activities to be relayed before and during the show launch. “A lot of play-along activities and apps are being designed. The apps will be launched by 15 August,” he informs.

     

    The channel is also working on its digital campaign for the launch of the show. “There will be huge engagement. We will ensure interaction through people writing back with their feedback. This time the audience will also get an opportunity to compete and challenge their peer groups. There will also be live play-along through twitter once the show launches. There are several ideas and these will be put across to the audiences in the weeks to come,” says Seth.

     

    KBC is initially being promoted through television promos. “We have shot four TV promos, two of which are already on-air. The rest will come in the next 10 days,” he informs. This will be followed by digital and radio promotions.

     

    “We will use the print medium on the day and a week post the show launch. The outdoor marketing will kick start a week prior to the launch,” he says.

     

    As far as below the line activation is concerned it is has quite a few promotions planned. Its marketing teams will host Aapke Sheher Hot Seat in 12 cities nationally. “Through this, we get viewers to sit in front of the computer and win prizes. Winners will be invited to a special event in that city which will have a proper sit down with a host. We will recreate the environment in the smaller cities, with Amitabh Bachchan asking the same questions on the television screen,” informs Seth.

     

    The OOH activity is still in the planning stage and will be handled by Madison Outdoor Media Services.

     

    Over the years, KBC has transformed the way people view television and understand entertainment in the country. Says Anita Kaul Basu (who can be labeled as the queen of the non-fiction format and the director of Big Synergy which is the production house for the show): “For a format which has been on television for over a decade, it has only strengthened itself. The viewers have changed and so have the viewing habits. In order to keep abreast with the changing times, the show which has a set format has always come back with an innovative theme to add to its freshness.”

     

    Last year, a new segment was added to KBC, wherein the background of the contestants (the backstory) who made it to the hot seat was shown. This was an effort to open a window to the aspirations of India and what India stands for. “Through this we tried to build a connect between the contestant and the viewers, who no matter what strata of the society they belonged to, aspire to be on the hot seat,” reiterates Kaul Basu.

     

    When asked about how does she and her team continue to engage people for over a decade, Kaul Basu says it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. “I have a special research team comprising 50 people (mainly in Delhi) who interact with experts like doctors, lawyers, academicians etc to come up with not only questions but also to know what people want to see.”

     

    As KBC enters its seventh season, we at indiantelevision.com foresee many more entertaining and informative seasons of the show. Basu, while hoping for this, laughs and says, “It is an incredible format and has its own life. It has worked in every language, across regions and hosts and will continue to do so, and know it will do so for many many more years. And we will continue to innovate in India to keep it engaging and fresh. And of course we cannot forget the trump card we have in Mr Bachchan. He deserves a bow. ”

     

    Indeed, come the first week of September (when the show is slated to air), many an Indian TV viewer is quite likely to give him one.

  • Adlabs Films completes acquisition of Synergy Communications

    Adlabs Films completes acquisition of Synergy Communications

    MUMBAI: Adlabs Films Ltd has completed the process of acquiring a controlling stake in Siddhartha Basu’s TV content company Synergy Communications.

    Indiantelevision.com was the first to report that Adlabs was buying a majority stake in Basu’s company. The new entity will be called Synergy Adlabs Ltd, subject to regulatory approval.
    Basu would continue to lead Synergy Adlabs’ strategy and business operations as chairman and managing director, the company said in a statement.

    In addition to Siddhartha and Anita Kaul Basu, the board would be strengthened by Adlabs Films wholetime director Pooja Shetty, Reliance Capital senior vice president Anil Arjun and Adlabs Films chief financial officer Venkat Devarajan.

    “Synergy Adlabs is envisaged to contribute sizeable revenues to the overall revenue pie of Adlabs Films by March 2008. The intention is to enhance Synergy’s production operations and scale up content to include high-quality popular fiction, youth-based shows, non-fiction content (including reality and lifestyle shows) and international content,” the statement added.

    Synergy Communications has done over 30 televised series and produced over 2000 hours of content. Among the popular shows include Kaun Banega Crorepati, Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa and Mastermind India.

  • Synergy Communications director Anita Kaul Basu

    Synergy Communications director Anita Kaul Basu

    Anita Kaul Basu is all about energy, gutsy individualism and great ideas. Anita’s determination has made her who she is now: the director of Synergy, a company that specialises in large studio based programmes, national participation, interactive shows, and is a leader in non-fiction programming.

    A multi talented woman, Anita has acted in theatre, worked in the print media, styled the who’s who in society and even modeled, but, managed all only by letting her family be top priority. She has chosen to let her husband Siddhartha Basu hog the limelight.

    Listing her strengths as team building, production, management and financial investments, she is known for creating an environment that puts pressure on delivering results but also gives time for “establishing relationships and having a very open communication style and systems.”

    The Basus floated Synergy with a view to enhancing knowledge with fun amongst all and transcending all age barriers. They have defined their roles in the workings of the company on the basis of their individual strengths. While Anita veers towards management and production, Siddhartha handles the creative aspects of programming.

    Synergy’s formats in quizzing have carved a niche for themselves amongst quiz aficionados all over the world. It has produced 30 series in 17 years, which means over 2,000 hours of programming. Synergy’s productions have also bagged 14 National level awards.

    Carrying the hallmark of quality and credibility, Anita has worked with the team at Synergy to deliver many critically and commercially acclaimed quiz formats. Both, Anita and Siddhartha have a communications background. She was in the print media, and Siddhartha was actively into theatre. Quizzing happened quite by chance. “Looking back, I have not lost out on the important aspects of work. I feel I could do that only because I was working with my husband and not for another organization,” says Anita.

    FAMILY BACKGROUND / EDUCATION

    Anita says, “My parents and my two brothers were all born in Srinagar, Kashmir. We are thorough bred Kashmiri Brahmins who have very strong links to the valley. We all speak the language, despite having been brought up in England. My father went to England in the early ’60s and has lived there ever since. A retired public health engineer, he is still living in Surrey along with my mother. Both my brothers are abroad; my elder brother Anup is in Montreal, Canada and my younger brother Arvind, a doctor, is in London.”

    Says she, “My father introduced a sound aesthetic sense in us, he sensitized us to what quality is all about. My mother gave us the capacity to love and give, without any expectations. It is your childhood that usually determines the person you eventually become.”

    She came back to India in 1975 to do her BA (Hons) in English Literature from Miranda House, Delhi University. Called ‘Fresher London’, she recalls how she bore the brunt of fierce ragging in college. “Snide remarks, catty comments and stolen clothes became part of my daily existence.”

    Not one to give up, she battled the assaults and completed her graduation. In July 1978, she did a course in Mass Communications from the Indian Institute of Mass Communications. Anita was very clear that she wanted to be in the media – more precisely in the electronic media. While studying for the Mass Communications course, she did an internship with Doordarshan (DD).

    “I found DD to be a moribund, dysfunctional and bureaucratic organization! It was a come downer! I was traumatized as I imagined quite something else. I had applied to be a news reader but, couldn’t envision myself in that chaotic scenario. Fortunately, this precipitated my decision to switch channels and move to the print media. We had senior journalists giving lectures in our institute. I did have writing skills and could think clearly. With the guidance of the institute’s director H. Y. Sharda Prasad and other senior editors, I chose to enter the print media.”

    She first joined ‘The Fortnight’ (a magazine which subsequently closed down). In 1980, Anita applied to India Today and was called by the then managing editor Suman Dubey for an interview, which she came through successfully.

    EARLY CAREER IN MEDIA

    It was a great break for Anita as India Today was the most challenging workspace. “Aroon Purie was dynamic, hands on and bubbling with fresh ideas. It was terrific to work with him as well as the close-knit team of young journalists who were there. They were the bold new breed that defied antiquated ways of approaching stories and created a fresh and bold writing style, which became a trademark of a kind. It was a very rich experience for me. I did the ‘Eye-catchers’ column and bookend stories on the arts, media, theatre and film.”

    Anita had met Siddhartha in 1975 when Mira Nair (her senior in college) asked her to audition for a part in a play directed by Siddhartha. She got the lead part. Anita was struck by his strong sense of Indian-ness, despite being very modern in all respects.

    “Siddhartha and I got married in 1983. I went to London taking a three month maternity leave when I had my first child. Spending time with my new born, I decided that I did not want my child to be reared by someone else. Our parents lived in different cities, and I decided to invest myself completely in taking care of my kids. Most often, I think we go wrong by not understanding what it takes to be a parent. I was determined to raise my kids in a particular way with value systems.”

    Things had begun to happen even as she was raising her kids at home. Just around that time, Siddhartha’s career took off with Quiz Time. That brought a lot of media attention. “Kids were, and till date are, priority number one. I went through all the frustrations and depressions of taking a backseat, but seeing my kids as well grounded as they are today, it feels right! I’d take my kids everywhere and did all I could, but worked it around my children’s schedule.”

    Speaking of how she ended up styling television personalities, Anita says, “I always had an interest in clothes. I feel that often people go wrong in the way they dress as compared to their personalities, body types and fabrics used. Styling was not given any importance and there was no sensitization to the fact that one is visible on a medium where first impact counts. It is by accident, I got recognition in styling Siddhartha’s clothes and all the hostesses on Quiz Time.”

    The second version of the popular quiz programme, launched in 1986, was also produced by the couple. It marked, in a way, Anita’s return to work, apart from initiating her into the art of TV production.

    SYNERGY COMMUNICATIONS

    In 1989, along with husband Siddhartha she set up Synergy Communications, a television production company. “Once we started our own company, I began working as a project co-coordinator, but on flexi time, so that I could spend time with my kids.”

    Anita has worked in different roles–as the project coordinator and later executive producer on shows like the Quiz Time series, the India Quiz series and the award winning show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. She was also the executive producer on the debate programme for Star Plus —A Question of Answers, and Style Today, a lifestyle programme produced for TV Today. And, she has been the producer on Mastermind India and University Challenge, telecast on BBC World. Having set new standards on TV in a restrictive era with Quiz Time, there was no dearth of work.

    The early 90s saw the satellite TV boom in the country. Though many channels tried to bite a chunk of the quizzing pie, it was a cakewalk all the way for Synergy. In television terms, Synergy has worked on varied formats and genres. Other than quiz and game shows, they have produced teleplays, a lifestyle series, a poll driven debate series anchored by Vir Sanghvi, a science driven series, series based on theatre games and a large number of corporate and promotional films.

    1996 was a tough year for her as she was struck with Hepatitis B that left her totally incapacitated. “Even turning on the bed or breathing was an impossible task. There was no medication and I had a severe arthritic attack before the Hepatitis virus manifested itself. Siddhartha handled both work and home remarkably well. With complete support from my in laws, my family and god’s magnanimity, as if by magic, a year and a half later, I was back on my feet and realized I could move without any pain at all. The same determination that made me stay back in India pulled me out of bed too,” says Anita.

    MASTERMIND INDIA

    Then in 1998, Mastermind India with Synergy at its helm went on BBC. And it opened up Indian quizzing to an international audience. Anita kept herself busy in the wings to ensure that everything went according to plan.

    Having had no formal training in production, Mastermind India was a priceless lesson. Anita did all the backend work and learnt a lot. Shooting this series involved starting from scratch, sending across 1,500 kilos of equipment – lights, generators, the works – and even couriering the famous black chair from Delhi. Here, Anita admits to being superstitious about certain things.

    “All of a sudden, we were trying to make locations out of old buildings in every corner of the country. And, with only one day to achieve that task it only made things worse. It was a programme that really tested our potential,” says Anita. The show had five successful seasons on TV.

    “We have terrific relations with BBC. Once they decide on something, they never batted an eyelid in the way we wanted things done. They are very professional in terms of payments and ideas. Channel support is so crucial to doing anything creative.”

    She has also project managed the Mastermind India book publications, Hindi and English quiz columns for various Indian newspapers and multimedia live quiz shows across the country. All the young contestants on the quiz shows have spoken about the entire team at Synergy, especially Anita, sparing no efforts to make each child feel comfortable. “My strength lies is knowing the psychology of children, so I relate to kids well and am on par with them. Our future is in our kids and we should invest in them.”

    KAUN BANGEGA CROREPATI

    In 2000, Star TV came knocking with a mega-project. Apart from redefining weekend viewing, Synergy’s Hindi remake ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati‘ (KBC) of the hugely popular “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” was a program that single-handedly changed the fortunes of a flagging channel and an individual in financial gloom into a star in demand again.

    KBC, hosted by film legend Amitabh Bachchan, tapped the nation’s raging get-rich-quick spirit with a basic formula of a mixture of lottery, greed and the glamour of appearing with Bachchan. Anita says, “It’s about human drama, hope and disappointment.”

    The Rupert Murdoch-owned network was reportedly spending Rs 750 million over 130 episodes – nearly half the year’s programming budget. Bachchan’s fee alone was estimated at Rs 140 million. But the money paid off in entertainment value, a 41% viewership rating and unforgettable memory linked with KBC.

    “He is a director’s actor and working with him was an absolute eye opener. He is very disciplined, professional, does not encourage a coterie on the sets and lets it be known that he is not there to interact with people. He values time,” says Anita on working with Bachchan.

    Convincing Bachchan was a task, she remembers. “At the start, he was apprehensive about television per se and would say, ‘Mere se nahin hoga’. It is only after seeing the sets in London that he returned and told Siddhartha that he was game, provided we could create the very same atmosphere here. In a span of 2-3 months we got everything ready and only after seeing it, did he commit that he was on.”

    Talking of her fantabulous relations with Star, she speaks of her interaction with Sameer Nair. “He has been very supportive. He is very sharp, takes risks and is a gambler. He was 100 per cent involved in the making of KBC.” KBC 2 was put on hold after Bachchan was asked to take it easy on health grounds. Will KBC be back? She laughs, “It cannot be got rid of, it will definitely be back.”

    Synergy conducts live quizzes regularly for Tata Steel, Birlas, Limca Book Of Records, Delhi Police, Nestle, Taj Group of Hotels, HRD Network, Ranbaxy, XlRI, Maruti, Kerala Tourism, Tihar Jail, Cry, Microsoft, IIT, IIMs, Khaleej Times, amongst many others.

    Synergy counts amongst its clients, leading Indian and international media houses and corporates like Star, BBC World, Doordarshan, Zee TV, Hindustan Times, Aaj Tak, Microsoft, Maruti, CII and Tata. Over the years, their effort in helping build their client’s businesses has led to strong and durable relationships.

    Their other productions include India’s Child Genius, University Challenge, Bluffmaster and Mum Tum Aur Hum, 3…2..1., A Question Of Answers, Akshar Mela, India Quiz On Freedom, Jaane Kya Toone Kahi, India Quiz, spectrum- A Saarc Quiz, Aao Guess Karen, Eureka, Style Today, Kamzor Kadii Kaun, Russian Roulette, Beanstalk Quiz Summit, Kissa Kursi Ka, IQ- The new Age, Manch Masala and Saiyyan Bhaye Kotwal.

    That their television productions have huge audiences is undeniable, but the collective participation and infectious spirit of their live events have to be experienced to be believed.

    “Quiz as a mind sport has become synonymous with us. In Delhi, our live shows at the Talkatora Stadium have over 6000 children creating an amazing buzz. It is entertaining and educational in a land where knowledge is premium. It is no longer just a question and answer thing. KBC proved that we are pioneers in changing the nature of what a quiz can be. We have made it interactive and entertaining by finding the formula of just engaging people.”

    Siddhartha and Anita share an evolving relationship and are colleagues at work. Realizing they are working towards common goals, they don’t allow egos to take over. On this Anita says, “I think over the years, maturity has set in and we have finally achieved equanimity. Disagreements are inevitable. Given a particular situation, I guess there are only two ways out – being miserable or accepting and turning things to your advantage, subtly.”

    VIEWS

    On exploring other mediums, she says, “We have done a huge number of live, multimedia shows in the country and abroad. We have produced a series of books, provided content for many organizations and hope to broaden our strength bases to go into other areas under the media umbrella.

    On whether she fights male dominance in the industry, Anita says, “I don’t think there’s been a very obvious bias. There are probably more women working in this industry than there are men. And, fortunately they are all doing extremely well. A certain amount of gender bias is inevitable in every sphere and the media is no different. Eventually it’s all about proving your worth and being sincere. Women, I find have the capacity and the skills to work harder and not buckle under pressure.”

    “I have a marvelous team who are dedicated, sharp and very hard working, and they are mostly women. Personally, I find the male ego a huge dampener and prefer to circumvent that and fight it at the subconscious and subterranean level rather than attack it full on in an aggressive and vocal manner,” adds Anita.

    In these times of more viewer choices and greater audience fragmentation, she gives her take on the future of the medium saying it is exciting times ahead and the dawn of new frontiers.

    “Television is here to stay. The numbers are daunting. Television is the medium of now and the future- more than films, more than newspapers, and much more than radio or any other medium. The pie will become bigger and spread evenly. People are going to settle down to a viewership pattern that becomes habitual. Therefore, whether its niche or mass, there’ll be something for everyone to watch and view. It’s already sectored – income groups, age groups, gender, cities, small towns and even underprivileged section. Advertisers are having a field day – they have a lot to choose from and evenly spread over their revenues accordingly.”

    Her formula for success is “Work your butt off and never be hierarchical about that. Chase the right work and not always the money. Never ever step off the learning curve. Learn time and money management, these are two very crucial ingredients to success and always carry your sense of humour with you. It always works.”

    CURRENT ISSUES ON HER AGENDA

    “We have been in the business for 20 years now and are one of the first independent producers and have stayed small, primarily to have creative and production control. We have never done any show for the sake of doing work. Our strength is content. We have to believe in the projects that we choose and put in a hundred per cent into them, often at the cost of our own revenues. It’s a tough curve to take.”

    “We have to keep evolving, contemporizing and have to be here and now by developing new formats. There is always a rip off, but creating new formats is a challenge. We are looking at areas we are strong in and coming from a theatre background, we hope to develop formats that are not regressive soaps but dramas. It about creating a buffet of formats to give the viewers the much needed choice they desire. In a medium where nothing is sacrosanct, ideas and implementation hold sway – but only for a while. Constant innovation and big ideas hold the key for the future,” says Anita.

    Anita strikes you as one who has all the skills of a good communicator- clarity, brevity, diction and audibility…but, has strangely kept away from facing the camera.

    “The camera just frightens me. Prannoy Roy always asks, like many others, as to what I am doing behind the camera. The truth is, I get tongue tied in front of the camera. As confident as I am talking to a roomful of people I become a piece of jelly when I see the eye of the camera on me. One needs different set of skills and I don’t have them,” says Anita.

    What are the major challenges in the near future? Says she, “The growth will happen not just with the induction of state-of-the-art equipment, but investing in the right people and ideas. People are all important. It is not just a financial investment, it is also an emotional investment. At Synergy, we work like a family. All here treat it as their home. We need to love, motivate and appreciate people who work for us and that is the edifice of Synergy.”

    And for Synergy, she says, “We’re positioned for growth and – in an increasingly tough world – to use the power of our ideas to make a real difference.”

    On the ideal job, Anita says, “Really, where does this dream world exist! All of us are on a constant quest. I have yet to meet anyone who loves in totality, their work. I would like to be a gardener, a teacher maybe, teaching kids who have no access to education, a story teller or maybe a monk who sold her Santro!!!”

    Philanthropist efforts/ special interests I have been associated with the Cancer Patients Aids Association for the last few years. I spend time with cancer patients who are kids and come from underprivileged backgrounds. It’s a very humbling experience and at the same time gives me an adrenalin rush. They go through their pain ever so cheerfully and I feel we have it all and are still so miserable! It’s a paradox! It takes a very spiritual mind to realize that and be grateful for what we have.
    Stress buster My pet Golden Retriever Sheroo, who is great fun and ever so loving; pottering around and talking to my plants in the garden; my children Aditya, 21 and Medha, 17; sessions of reiki and daily meditation. However, I love music and dancing – an instant stress busters for me.
    Best trait Organised, loving, giving, seldom judgmental, sense of humour and very hardworking.
    Pet Peeve Dishonesty, insincerity, uptight and disorganized people.
    Dream Gizmo My Ipod and in the future, a robotic cook!!
    Favourite Holiday spot Glass House on the Ganges, Rishikesh, England and Paris.
    Worst nightmare If anything should happen to my loved ones, especially my children. And, drowning in a sea of muck!!!!
    Two guests she would love to dine with Robert De Niro (a complete actor) and Bill Gates (for building a revolution out of virtually nothing).
    What makes her laugh Anything and everything. Currently, I am absolutely hooked on to a Canadian, Indian stand up comic called Russell Peters. He is hilariously cruel, witty and absolutely brilliant.
    On her children Aditya wants to be a filmmaker. He just made a film 125 years of St Stephen’s College, which has been aired on Doordarshan. He is currently working with film director Shaad Ali in Mumbai and plans to do his masters in filmmaking next year. My daughter Medha has just finished her 12th and is headed to study sociology in London.