While every one knows who Raman Kumar is in the world of television, daughter Radhika Kumar, is better known as co-producer of Miilee. However, news is that this year the beautiful, down-to-earth and the ever-smiling girl is all set to turn filmmaker.
Radhika says, "Yes, it is true that I am turning into a filmmaker very soon!" With Miilee going great guns on STAR, the co-producer is exploring all the aspects of filmmaking "so that I am in full control of the project!"
Many may wonder as to how come a producer, who is young is turning into a filmmaker? Few may know that direction is not something new for Radhika as she has directed a documentary on Female infanticide & Feticide for the BBC.
However, she is enjoying being the producer of her dad’s Miilee (written & directed by Raman Kumar) on STAR. Having seen her dad working ever since she can remember, Radhika discloses, "I have learnt everything from my dad. The most important thing he ever taught me is 'the art of cinema'! As I grew up, I honed my skills watching him work and discussing with him every nuances of the art. Currently, being the producer of Miilee, I am loving the responsibility, which has been entrusted to me by Vinta Nanda and Mozez, the co-producer.”
Radhika started working early in life "because when I was 15 or 16, I realised this (filmmaking) is what I want to do in my life. So I started from scratch on dad's insistence. Today, I realise why he said so. I assisted Vinta as her assistant and rose to Chief Assistant Director in three year’s time. Now with
{{/usCountry}}Radhika started working early in life "because when I was 15 or 16, I realised this (filmmaking) is what I want to do in my life. So I started from scratch on dad's insistence. Today, I realise why he said so. I assisted Vinta as her assistant and rose to Chief Assistant Director in three year’s time. Now with
{{/usCountry}}Miilee,
I have learned the ropes of production (laughs)," informs the beautiful girl.
What kind of responsibility does she have as the producer of Miilee? She explains, "Being the producer, I delegate various responsibilities to concerned departments. Production is a great responsibility and I love every bit of it! From scripting to costumes, characters entry to taking the episode to the channel – the responsibility lies on my shoulder."
As a producer, does she have problems with her writer-director dad? She enthuses, "Oh, many times (laughs)! What we enjoy is that we don’t carry our work home, so discussions and counter discussions are part and parcel of the whole deal. After all, we both want our product to be good (smiles)."
And how does she cajole her dad Raman Kumar after a hot discussion session, who is considered to be a strict disciplinarian? "Dad, ice-cream drive? And the ice melts instantaneously (laughs). Dad taught me how he’s the authority on his sets and the respect he demands from one and all is just amazing! Not because he’s Raman Kumar, he respects equally everyone with whom he’s working. I am lucky to be his daughter and there is a beautiful bonding and comfort level that we share."
Unlike her father, who has shied away from the big screen, Radhika is all set to defy the odds and will make her debut as a filmmaker very soon. What kind of film is she going to make? She confesses, "Typical Bollywood commercial film (laughs)! I am currently giving the final touches to my screenplay. It’s going to be a romantic film, a love story, which I will be producing as well. However, it is too early to talk in great length now, as it will take some time." So will she leave producing serials then? "No!" Pat comes the reply as she continues, "In fact, we are soon going to air 4 to 5 shows under our banner T.Q.M Entertainment. All the time, we are toying and working on various ideas and hopefully other serials will be as good as Miilee (smiles).”
Story sittings, discussions, looking after the nitty-gritty of production and giving final touches to her script – Radhika, even though is so young, has really matured learning all about filmmaking. This chirpy Virgo full of energy loves music to enjoy a leisure life in coming future in a huge mansion. So what’s her ultimate dream? She signs off with her infectious smile and childlike innocence, "I want to be the richest person in this world!" We couldn’t help say touchwood!