Rajshri Productions, synonymous with grand sets and family movies has ventured into the OTT space with 'Bada Naam Karenge', which has received rave reviews. In an exclusive conversation with Deccan Chronicle, Palash Vaswani, the director of the hit series 'Gullak' talks about helming Rajshri’ OTT debut project, 'Bada Naam Karenge' and what makes working with Sooraj Barjatya a delightful experience.

Why did Rajshri Productions choose you for their OTT debut? I am grateful that Sooraj sir saw 'Gullak' and loved it. He called me after watching Seasons 2 and 3, saying he wanted to debut in OTT with Sony LIV. I fell in love with the story, and since I had worked with Sony LIV on 'Gullak', he thought I would be a good fit. That moment was special, as Sooraj sir is a legitimate filmmaker and I have learned from his craft. It was gratifying to see him like my work and want to direct in OTT.

Did you ask Sooraj Barjatya why he ventured into OTT? Sooraj sir told me that there’s a lack of family-oriented content on OTT. Every storyteller should have the freedom to tell their story, regardless of genre. Rajshri Productions saw this gap and decided to fill it. Sony was excited about this idea, telling Sooraj sir they wanted stories like Vivah or Hum Aapke Hain Kaun..!. It was a good decision, as they are pioneers in storytelling, just like with ‘Rocket Boys’, which has a unique niche.

Are there traces of ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ in ‘Bada Naam Karenge’? Of Course! 'Bada Naam Karenge' is my tribute to ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’. I love that film; it’s raw, young, and nostalgic. I watched it in a single-screen theatre, and it was a community experience. Even now, when I watch it on OTT, I recall happy memories. For me, it’s a special film. I have paid tribute to it in ‘Bada Naam Karenge’. I also focused on relatability, showcasing characters and stories that audiences can connect with, especially the middle class. I wanted to portray rich people who are rooted and humble, not just showy. I have tried to create a connection between the audience and the characters, making them feel like they are part of the story. Did you expect your show to become a massive hit? No, never. It was a surprise! We were attempting something simple, and simple stories are hard to tell. In thrillers or horrors, the plot drives the story, but in our show, it’s pure emotions. I had to engage the audience equally, making them connect with the family’s dilemmas. We got hundreds of comments saying they felt like they were sitting inside the house, watching their own family. The attempt was to bring the audience close to the characters, making them feel like it’s their own house.