Palki who is in charge of the young blood in Cinevistaas' Dil Dostii Dance for Channel V as the Project Head has had a colourful journey and Tellychakkar.com gives our readers an insight on her achievements and journey.
Tell us about your beginning in the television industry.
Well, I started at a very young age, and was doing theatre during my college days. I used to get involved in a lot of back stage activities too in addition to acting. There was a phase after my college life wherein I did not know what to take up. I had never thought of writing and a profession related to entertainment, but I started getting fascinated with the back stage creative work like directing and writing. However, I gave an interview for Jet Airways for an airhostess job, where I got rejected as I talked a lot in the group discussion. After this, I joined a production company called Facts which was in collaboration with big companies. I worked as the runner or in simple terms, as a glorified spot boy. After joining the company, I was so excited with the creative aspect that when I got a call again from Jet Airways I refused to take it and instead decided to make it big in the creative field. Thus began my journey.
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I worked as the Assistant Director under many directors and learned a lot. UTV later absorbed me as the Executive Producer. I was with UTV for five years after which I was creatively involved with Star Plus for nearly four years. After this, I had a small stint as the Fiction Head of Sahara One after which I got into Cinevistaas for Dill Mill Gayye.
So how was it being a part of the creative team for a cult show like Dill Mill Gayye?
I would say that I matured as a creative with Dill Mill Gayye. It was a huge experience as the entire conviction was mine.Working with people like Karan Singh Grover and Karan Wahi was great fun.
What about the experience of being the Project Head of Dil Dostii Dance?
D3 has been a difficult show and this has been the best phase of my career, I would say. I know that Dill Mill Gayye fans will kill me for saying this, but with D3, we broke a lot of policies and clutter in the market. The most difficult aspect was to break away from the mould of Dill Mill Gayye and we were successful in doing it. To make a show with the backdrop of dance and that too, with new actors was tough. The challenge was big as D3 was not on a popular channel and to spread the word about this fiction show on a channel like Channel V was a struggle in itself. Initially, we had to paint shades to every scene in order to get the attention of masses to make it popular. We did not have the leeway of known faces, publicity, money and channel. All we had was a bunch of people who were ready to work hard creatively and an innocent group of fresh actors who were dedicated.
Who does Palki Malhotra idolize when it comes to work?
There are a lot of people from whom I have learned. Working with Nupur Asthana has been a great learning curve; the same with Neeraj Naik. I have learned the most from Director Rakesh Sarang. It was a great experience to work with Shailja Kejriwal when I was with Star Plus.
Tell us something about Palki Malhotra, the person?
I am a very different person. On the sets, it is very important for me to have fun. I am passionate about dancing. I see dance as a hobby. And it is due to this passion that I could visualize a show like Dil Dostii Dance. I have a good sense for music too. I have the vision of a director. I would never want to think about the future and believe in enjoying the present. I get up every morning only to work hard. I cannot think of a day when I am lethargic. I truly believe that hard work will pay off. And if you work towards making a person's career, that positive karma will keep you in good stead.
So do you give inputs when it comes to dance to actors in D3?
Initially, nobody knew that I am a capable dancer. I used to keep mum, but recently they got to know that I have a keen interest in dancing. If anyone wants any inputs in terms of presentation, I readily give them. But the input is not in terms of choreography; I cannot even stand in front of their talent when it comes to dancing (smiles).
What keeps you relaxed after a hard day's work?
For me, going to the sets of D3 means relaxation. There is so much fun happening on sets that we are all the time laughing and having fun.
Who are your best buddies from the industry?
I do not make friends in the industry and I hardly have any. I would say Ameeta Devadiga from Cinevistaas is close to me. Apart from that, I have friends like Karan Singh Grover, and the director Anirudh. I am friendly with all in the D3 gang. I get along well with Kunwar (Amarjeet Singh), Archie and Shantanu Maheshwari. Archie is like a younger brother to me and when it comes to Kunwar, I feel we have a unique connection. Shantanu is a prankster and I like to hang out with him; we usually go out for movies.
Tell us about your family life?
Well, not many will believe that I am married (smiles). I have the most understanding family. My mother-in-law encourages me to work hard, and she believes that I can make a film one day. She is the best mother-in-law I could have had. I have a very supportive husband who has let me follow my passion. I have a supportive mother. If my dad was alive today, he would have been proud of me.
Tell us about your husband.
Ashish Ram manages Mr. Sonu Nigam's work. He is mostly outdoors and it has been 8 years for us into marriage.
What about extending your family?
We feel it is not the right time to have kids now. I would say I am not ambitious, but I am very passionate about my job and get less time for family. Also, I can say that I have technically stepped into parenthood as Creative Director. All the kids on the sets treat me like a parent and after managing tough kids like Karan Singh Grover and Karan Wahi, I feel I have had enough of experience. The whole lot in D3 gang are my kids.
Lastly, what are your goals for the future?
As I said, I am not very ambitious. Having said this, I would like to try my hand at films one day.
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