Satyam Tripathy has been a part of the television industry for the last twenty years now. As a dialogue writer, Satyam has been associated with many popular shows like Left Right Left, Maryada, Dil Dostii Dance😳, among many others.
Currently, he is writing for Sony Entertainment Television's Parvarrish- Kuchh Khattee Kuchh😳 Meethi and Zee TV's Hitler Didi.😳
Tell us how did you begin your journey in this industry?
I started my career by assisting Etienne Coutinho, who way back in the 80s, made slide-sound shows. What started as hobby and pocket money earner soon became full time passion and by the time I graduated I had enough experience to begin as an independent. Initially, I made educational and corporate short films but at the same time I also got attracted to fiction and joined Rajiv Mehra as an assistant who was beginning his serial Zabaan Sambhaal Ke. A mere sixteen episodes later, I was offered to design production for a mega serial Aasmaan Se Aagey based on Ayn Rand's Fountainhead by Viveck Vaswani. After another thirteen episodes, Viveck offered me to direct a serial for Home TV that he was co-producing with noted film distributor Ramesh Sippy. I wrote and directed this serial named Safar.
How did dialogue writing come to you?
Since I was directing Safar, I had Sutapa Sikdar to write the screenplay and dialogue. But I had flair for the language since my father was a film actor and a poet too. On the other hand, my mother was MA in Hindi, so improvisation of a scene and dialogue writing came naturally. With multiple satellite channels emerging, the scenario of working in television became a bit intrusive in the context to directing for television and added to this the pressure of a daily format. I did not find any interesting show where I could show my finesse as a director. Also around this time, producers Deeya and Tony Singh (DJ's A Creative Unit), having heard about my improvisational writing from some, asked me to write a serial Love Mein Kabhi Kabhi for SAB TV. Thus started my stint as a full time writer.
I also write story and screenplay but prefer to write just the dialogues for many reasons. They are my love for characters and different languages, style that people speak in. Since a script comes last to the dialogue writer, there is always scope to enhance a scene and that's fun. As a dialogue writer, one attends less of meetings with the channel as well as the production house.
Name a few serials you have written for?
I wrote Maan for 9 Gold DD metro, Dil Se Dostii, Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, Baat Hamari Pakki Hai for Sony Entertainment TV, Left Right Left for SAB, Jab Love Hua for Sony, 12/24 Karol Bagh, Chhoti Si Zindagi for Zee TV, Maryada for Star Plus and currently Parvarrish for Sony TV and Hitler Didi for Zee TV.
Tell us something about your working pattern?
I like to work on characters, giving them nuances and believe in the saying that 'characters make a story and not the other way round'. I like creative interaction within a team but prefer being left alone to mull and ruminate enough before I put pen to paper. I am a night bird and love the quiet solitude of the night to work in.
How long have you been in this industry?
I have been in the television industry for nearly 20 years now.
What challenges did you face in the journey?
None'really.
How many hours do you put in altogether?
It's not a constant figure. All depends on the amount of work in hand. I prefer writing for not more than two shows at a time.
What are the things that you keep in mind before writing the dialogues for a particular show?
Characters, their settings and the core theme of the show.
Have you ever faced any kind of actor tantrums?
Sometimes, given the fact, actors are an insecure lot.
Do you watch serials and keep a tab of what is happening around in other shows?
No, I don't watch much of television, not even the shows I write beyond its initial episodes.
Your future plans?
I don't plan anything but like to go with the flow.
Your advice for aspiring writers'
Aspiring writers need to be great observers in daily life and must make a habit to read. To be a good writer, one has to keep the habit of writing going. Like, they say in Hindi, 'karte ki vidya' that's what writing too is
Dialogue writer Manasvi Sharma is a versatile person and has been a part of the television industry for quite some time now.
Having qualified himself in the trade of architecture from the Madhav Institute of Technology and Science (MITS), Gwalior, he passed out of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune in 2004.
Having written most of the shows for production house DJ's A Creative Unit, Manasvi made his debut as a film director with Rajshri Productions' Love U...Mr. Kalakaar.
Currently, he is writing for Sony Entertainment Television's Parvarrish- Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi.
Excerpts:
How long have you been in this industry?
Well, I started my journey in 2007; so it's been five years now that I have been working in this industry.
How did dialogue writing come to you?
(Pauses) Well, I always wanted to become a dialogue writer since I knew that I could write well. In 2007, I got a break to write for 13 episodes of SAB TV'sDetective Doll. Later, I wrote the screenplay and directed Rajshri Production's Love U...Mr. Kalakaar. Then there was no looking back for me. After that I did lot many television shows.
Can you name us a few serials that you have written?
I have written for most of the DJ's A Creative Unit's shows like Choti Bahu, Left Right Left, Mere Ghar Aayi Ek Nanhi Pari, Jugni Chali Jalandhar. DJ's A Creative Unit is like family to me and I am really happy to work with them.
Tell us something about your working pattern?
I like getting into every minute detail. I have a character brief before me and accordingly define dialogues for each of them. When I prepare the dialogues, I always keep the scene in mind. Usually, I write for one episode at a time.
You must be writing in loneliness?
Sometimes… it becomes little distressing when your family members are having fun in a living room and you are sitting in the other room and writing dialogues. But there is no running away…it is my bread and butter and that's life…
How many hours do you put in altogether for your work?
It depends upon the work flow. Sometimes it takes 8 to 9 hours and sometimes it takes 4 to 5 hours. I always carry my laptop because you never know when you will need to work.
Did you face any challenges in this industry?
Yes, initially, I did face some challenges. Later, things started falling in place and now life is much smoother and easy going.
What are the things you keep in mind before writing a script for a particular show?
Primarily, I have a character brief before me and keeping that in mind, I write the dialogues. I always see to it that every character is properly defined.
Which show did you enjoy doing the most?
Well, well…sincerely speaking, I enjoyed working for Zee TV's Choti Bahu a lot. It was a long running show with a 5.7 TRP and importantly, being in the 7.30 pm slot. I am really proud to have been a part of that show. And so also is my current showParvarrish… It's different compared to all other shows.
Do you watch serials and keep a tab of what is happening in other shows?
I don't get time to watch television, but yes, sometimes I watch Balika Vadhu; I think it's a great show.
Tell us something about your personal life?
(Smiles) I am a happily married man and father of a three-year old kid.
Your future plans?
I am writing for a film as well as for DJ's A Creative Unit's new show on Star Plus.😲😳
Lastly, any advice for aspiring writers…
I would want to tell them to respect their work as it earns your bread and butter. Give your hundred percent to the work you do.
