S indhu Sreedhar, a veteran producer of the small screen, has worked behind the scenes of many reality shows and programmes. However she agrees that ‘Mission Kargil’ was a reality show that tested her skills as a producer and team leader. Working as an executive producer on Flowers, Sindhu says the show will remain as a milestone in her career. The grand finale of the show will be telecast today at 8 .30 p.m. Excerpts from an interview…
What is ‘Mission Kargil’? Is it a local version of ‘Fear Factor’?
It has been inspired by ‘Fear Factor’ as it is about challenging your fears and overcoming them but the similarity ends there. This was a game show that tested the endurance and fitness of participants and also highlighted the tough lives of our jawans who live in formidable conditions. Major Ravi made this possible; his advice, training and leadership helped us make the show a success.
How were the participants selected?
Well, the first episode involving Shweta Menon, Ananya and Laxmi Rai was shot in Thailand. Later, there was an audition in Kochi. Out of 1,000 applicants we selected 12. They were divided into three teams led by Sija Rose, Rhea and Shahi Shamli. They were taken to Srinagar and then given a series of tasks to complete. They had to battle inclement weather, language barriers and unfamiliar geographical terrain. And the entire team of 40 were with them all through the journey. I feel it is a first for any Malayalam television channel.
And what was the grand prize?
See, that is why this show is different from other reality shows. The idea was to put a group of contestants through some physically demanding tasks and also instil some kind of patriotic fervour in them. It was not to win an expensive flat or a bumper amount as a prize. Thanks to the support of our managing director Sreekantan Nair and vice-president Anil Ayoor, we were able to conceptualise such a show. In the last leg of the show, the participants reach Kargil and pay homage to our soldiers by laying a wreath on the memorial there. We were all moved by that experience.
It was also a personal milestone for you?
Yes, I became the first woman producer from Kerala to travel to Kargil. But that is not important. It was the spirit of the participants that really enthused us.
What is coming up next?
We have already begun the shooting for ‘Kutty Kalavara’, a show that features children between the ages of seven and 11. Twenty participants have been divided into ten teams, each with a celebrity mentor. They stay together and perform a series of tasks together, including singing, cooking and so on. It is a fun show.
