Sumeet Mittal and Shashi Mittal have been prolific and successful writers in the Hindi television industry for many years now!! The husband and wife pair got their share of success with Sahara One's longest running show Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki. But today, after a long run, the writer pair feel nostalgic as their beloved show ends its run tonight after being part of the viewers' life for more than five years.. 

Here are Sumeet and Shashi Mittal in conversation with TellyBuzz about their journey as writers, on the show close to their heart and on their production house..

Excerpts!!!

How has been the journey as a writer?
Sumeet: The journey has been really interesting and definitely there have been ups and downs in the journey. But those are unavoidable and we have to surpass them to be successful.

What are the milestones you have achieved so far?
Sumeet: Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki is undoubtedly one big achievement that I received. I started my career with Aruna Irani in her show Zameen Se Asmaan Tak and that was the time I started my career as a writer. After that there were other shows like Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka and Betiyaan Apni Yaa... Paraaya Dhan!. All were great shows.

Woh Rehne Waali.. has been running for more than five years now; how do you feel?
Sumeet:I feel great to be associated with the show because whatever I have achieved so far is because of this show. The show has given us name, fame and money (laughs).

The show is going off air tonight; how is the feeling?
Sumeet: The show is indeed close to my heart and I learnt the initials of a writer from this show. It is really a sentimental mood for me today as the show will be off air. I have been associated with the show since the first episode. In a way it is good that the show is ending on a good note and people will remember the show as well as the characters.

How has been your association with Sahara One?
Sumeet: Sahara One has been a wonderful channel and they are really supportive. The channel has given me all freedom to experiment myself in scripting. In that manner, as a Producer even I feel free to execute what I pen down.

How was the experience with Rajshri Productions?
Sumeet: They actually taught me the ABCD of writing and I really have a close association with the family. When Rajshri Productions decided to do the show Raj Kumar Barjatya and Sooraj Barjatya were particular that I should write for it and I am really grateful for that.

What are the other shows that you and Shashi are writing now?
Shashi: Actually Sumeet is not involved in writing as he is totally concentrating on the production house Shashi Sumeet Productions. Now I am with Sapnon Se Bhare Naina, Uttaran et al.

You have been associated with the industry for so long, what are the differences that you have felt as a producer and as a writer?
Shashi: Television has changed a lot in the years and today there are various opportunities for a writer to experiment. There was a time when only a typical Saas Bahu show was the only genre that worked on TV and today the scenario is not like that. There are a variety of shows that give a chance for a writer to prove themselves.

How has the audience changed today?
Sumeet: The audience has really become intelligent and it is also a fact that we cannot satisfy all the viewers with one particular show. Today there is a lot of competition and audience is also getting a lot of options before them.  

Who is your inspiration in writing?
Sumeet: Nature is my inspiration. When you are inspired by a writer, you tend to have his/her influence on the writing which sometimes becomes unavoidable.

Shashi: Films are my inspiration as I love watching movies. I watch all kinds of movies and they provide zeal.

What is your favourite show on Television today?
Sumeet: The shows which have good TRPs are supposed to be good shows and I personally like Sasural Genda Phool. The show is really refreshing to the audience.

Television today has various shows that are based on rural backdrop; what is your take on that?
Sumeet: Rather than the rural backdrop, it is the concept that is important for the show. For example, the concept of Balika Vadhu can only be set in a rural backdrop and similar is the case of Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo and Phulwa. These are certain issues that can be portrayed only with a rural backdrop.

What are your new shows as a Producer?
There is a show in Star Plus which is called Diya Aur Batti which is a love story and also there is one more in the pipeline, but it is too early to comment about it.

Reporter and Author: Saranya Valsarajan