RAVI DUBEY, who has completed 15 years in the industry, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his production house, his recent poem and album, among other things
You started off as an actor, how did it lead to a production house?
I would not call having a production house a transition from acting; it is a diversification. I am very much still an actor and I still love acting. One thing just led to another. Sargun (wife) and I have been lucky that we have been able to forge good relations and people trust us. It is an organic diversification.
Are there any particular kind of projects your production house would like to promote?
There are Punjabi films that we are doing. A third has just been put on the floor. There is content we are working for Hindi TV. There is content for the web. Everything from music videos to cinema to TV, we are all there.
Is that how your poem and album happened?
No, I wouldn’t say that. When we produce content, there are many factors that come into play. But for poetry, it was something that I had been wanting to pen down. One by one, people came and got associated with it and became a project. A friend created a video and another gave the music. We produced the video and I have written the poetry, but would not call it a commercial production, it was more of a creative bent.
How has the journey been?
I have been lucky. God is kind. The industry has embraced me, honour, taught me so much, been kind to me and showered me with love. I am grateful that I am here more than anywhere else. This is where I love to be, this is what I enjoy. I am fortunate to be part of this industry.
What is the best part of owning a production house?
You can tell stories you believe in; you push forward ideas and stories that you want and closet to your heart. It is an opportunity where one doesn’t have to necessarily rely on others to tell a story. One doesn’t have to convince people that a project is good because you think it is. Having your own resources makes it possible. We are lucky we could start this and put forward ideas we believe in.
Does that mean that the kind of content in the industry is not something that works for you?
This is not true. There is great work happening. In my 15 years in the industry that I have been an actor, there is fantastic work happening. It is only in the last one year that we decided to diversify for commercial and creative reasons. I am personally proud of the work that I have done like Jamai Raja and Saas Bina Sasural. Opening a production house doesn’t mean I am undermining what is happening in industry but celebrating it.
You also debuted in the digital space with Jamai 2.0. What made you say yes to the project?
It was an organic move. The show — Jamai Raja has given so much; people loved it and wanted to see a metamorphosed version of it. I liked the story and the comfort level of working with Nia (Sharma). Doing it was like being at home. I enjoyed the process and that people loved it.
From modeling to acting to hosting a show. Where are you most comfortable?
I am most comfortable performing. I love and enjoy acting. I love hosting as well. Playing a character really grinds my gear. Just putting myself in front of the camera, the imagination is at full throttle, your creative potential and juices are flowing. But it doesn’t mean I don’t like hosting or dancing. I just love the art of performing.
What are some of the upcoming projects?
Besides the Punjabi films, music videos, web series and content for TV, there are some acting projects as well but I can’t speak about them at present.