After making an indelible mark with thriller series 24, producer director Abhinay Deo is launching his second series Tamanna on the tube. Touted as his most ambitious project, the show will showcase a story of a woman who dreams of becoming a cricketer. In a freewheeling chat, the director gives us an insight into his project.
The story is a bit unconventional for television. Is it worth the risk?
Yes, cricket and a woman is a bit contrasting — that’s precisely the reason it is going to be interesting for the audience. When two things put together don’t sound right, that’s when I think we have a perfect recipe to explore. Cricket is just a metaphor here. The story is actually about digging deeper into a woman’s aspirations that are difficult to achieve given our traditional social set up and I think it is worth telling.
Stories with supernatural elements have completely hooked the audience. How will unusual concepts like Tamanna manage to grab eyeballs?
If an age old story like Naagin can come back and get the same amount of interest from people, then anything can work. The idea of a woman aspiring to become a cricketer sounds bizarre enough for the viewer to turn around and say, “let me figure what this is all about”. I am confident about the narrative and performers. With Tamanna, I think we will be able to give audiences something they can relate to and get hooked.
Your projects are known for their adrenaline rush, be it 24 or Force 2. Why this shift from your comfort zone onto something that’s not your territory?
Our industry slots people easily. That’s something I have always been against. Who says a guy who makes good comedy can’t make a good thriller? That’s what I am trying to show through Tamanna. If you know your craft, you should be able to tell every story as effectively as the other.
Is Tabu part of the upcoming season of 24?
I cannot disclose whether or not she is doing it. Let it be a surprise.
