JD METHEJIA, producer of Sony SAB TV’s Wagle Ki Duniya — Nayi Peedhi, Naye Kissey, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA how this series is different from the original, the challenge he is facing and why he chose the same starcast

I understand that you are reading a script. Is it for a new project?

No-no. Wagle Ki Duniya- Nayi Peedhi, Naye Kissey requires that we come up with a new storyline every day. We have tried to ensure that none of the stories in the series go beyond one episode. Out of the 78 episodes that have aired till now, there have been only a couple that have run into the second part. At the end of the day the creative writer has to send the storyline for the next day. That is what keeps me busy in the evenings.

What are the challenges you are facing having to shoot outside of Mumbai?

Wagle… as a show is all about daily trials and tribulations of the common man, we never expected to be at the resort, where we are shooting, for more than 15-29 days; it has now been 49 days. Then there is the whole thing of creating daily stories. We have based our show on real-life issues of the common man. To put out stories every day is not an easy task. Also, it is not possible for a middle-class family to afford to stay in the resort for such a long time. We have to work around these constraints and bring out the essence of the show that is all about morals, values, emotions and principles.

What makes Wagle Ki Duniya so popular?

The series is all about the common man and his trials and travails. People sitting at home identify with what is happening in Wagle’s world. People find a connection with the actors and feel that what the characters are going through in reel life is something that they face everyday — problems at the workplace, kids have problems at home and the wife having to deal with household issues. These are small things but it makes what we call life — a common man’s life. The show is about how a middle-class man thinks and people find a connection with the thinking that has been shown.

How is this series different from the 1988-90 show?

Here, the series takes a leap. While some of the cast is the same, there are new characters. This adds a new dimension to the show while keeping the essence of the original show that had 18 episodes. We wanted to showcase Wagle’s duniya in the new setting. I call this show TV-web — a combination of TV show and web series.

How did the idea to revisit the show come up?

A few of us were working for a new show for the channel keeping in mind middle and higher middle class. Neeraj Vyas, business head of SAB TV called me at night and asked me what I thought of Wagle Ki Duniya of 1988. I told him it is an excellent idea. The next morning, I called Usha Laxman. She told me that she was about to call me with regard to 18 episodes that she had. I told her that why not do new episodes. She asked how we would do it without RK Laxman. I told her that we will begin with zero.

Why choose the same cast? 

There was no way that we could have not taken Anjan Srivastav and Bharti Achrekar; they are the original Wagles. There was no reason not to take them. Since there is a leap, we couldn’t take Dushyant Nagpal instead opted for two kids — Chinmayee Salvi and Sheehan Kapahi. Then there is Sumeet Raghavan; we wanted him to be there; then there is Pariva Pranati.

Were there any apprehensions since the series takes a leap and is set in present times?

No, we had no apprehensions. We have a wonderful team and we knew that this new series would work as well. We have worked on so many shows that talk about middle-class issues, we knew people would love this too. The only thing that we had to do was to act responsibly. The original show was directed by Kundan Shah; we had to land right.

You are an actor. How did you get into production and directing?

It was always on the cards. I am an MBA and when I left my job, I gave myself time as an actor. I had written a letter to myself where I had planned my life. Production and directing was already there on the cards. I am glad that I have managed to remain true to the letter. I am glad that I formed Hats Off Productions with my friend and now business partner, Aatish Kapadia.