Star Plus is set to launch 'Sumit Sambhal Lega', which is the Indian adaptation of the globally loved American sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond'. And for the first time, one of the writers of the original show is actively involved in creating an adaptation for the Indian market.
Steve Skrovan, the writer of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and his team, play an important role in the making of the desi version. We spoke to Steve about his experiences and why he believes everybody will love Sumit. Excerpts from a conversation...
What are your thoughts on Everybody Loves Raymond coming to India? It was such a privilege to be a part of this from the beginning. I got to learn about Indian culture and television. The experience has been great. On the first day, we had a workshop where I sat and listened to everybody about Indian television. Star Plus is the largest brand and most appropriate to get this show to people in India.
What was the first thing you learnt about our TV content during the workshop? It was interesting to know that Indian television is largely driven by women. They control the remote. In America, we like to think that the men control the remote! It was good to see some Indian comedies, how they presented things and see if we could take our system of doing things and apply it here.
Obviously, there are some limitations, there are certain things you can't do in terms of practices, also in terms of just production. But that was to be expected, that's all a part of my learning experience. What better way for someone like me to be in a country and spend a good amount of time, immersing myself in a culture and literally talking about the stories of people's lives. Here is a story we did in America and now the point is how we would handle this in another country. Talking with the writers, what the issues would be, what the relationships would be, what the attitudes would be and dig out how they would be different, but for the most part, finding out we are all really the same.
How much time have you spent in India so far? In the past six months, I have made three trips. I spent two weeks in November, then five weeks in January-February and then, I came back in April for another week. Even when I was in America, I was doing long-distance work. They would send me outlines and scripts and I would give them notes. They would send me cuts of the show and I would give notes, which is interesting for me because obviously I don't speak Hindi, but I would watch it with a translation next to me and see how everything was playing out.
How close is 'Sumit Sambhal Lega' to 'Everybody Loves Raymond'? In essence, it is very close. Of course, there are certain episodes that you have to adapt. I was asked by the team if the parents in the Indian version can live in the same house (in the original, the parents visit the couple very often). I said, 'Sure, why not? Then you don't have to make excuses for why they are there all the time!' That made it easier.
Indian shows are known to be high on drama and that includes kitchen politics. Would you need to spice up the show to cater to that? I think it's already there. That's why Star wanted to do it because it's all about a family and family is universal.
Also, one of the central conflicts is between the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law and I was told that this relationship is huge in Indian soaps. Even though the show will revolve around the man, the relationship between his wife and the family seems to fit perfectly in Indian culture.
More on the show
The popular American television sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond' originally ran from September 13, 1996 to May 16, 2005 and has had reruns across many countries.
The show revolves around the life of Raymond Barone, a sportswriter living with his wife Debra and their kids. Raymond often finds himself in the middle of problems and arguments and finds it difficult to take a stand, especially if there is a chance that it will bring his mother's wrath down on him.
Source:-Indiatimes
Steve Skrovan, the writer of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and his team, play an important role in the making of the desi version. We spoke to Steve about his experiences and why he believes everybody will love Sumit. Excerpts from a conversation...
What are your thoughts on Everybody Loves Raymond coming to India? It was such a privilege to be a part of this from the beginning. I got to learn about Indian culture and television. The experience has been great. On the first day, we had a workshop where I sat and listened to everybody about Indian television. Star Plus is the largest brand and most appropriate to get this show to people in India.
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| "Sumit Sambhal Lega"StarPlus Upcoming Comedy Show Concept Wiki|StarCast|Timing|Promo|Song |
Obviously, there are some limitations, there are certain things you can't do in terms of practices, also in terms of just production. But that was to be expected, that's all a part of my learning experience. What better way for someone like me to be in a country and spend a good amount of time, immersing myself in a culture and literally talking about the stories of people's lives. Here is a story we did in America and now the point is how we would handle this in another country. Talking with the writers, what the issues would be, what the relationships would be, what the attitudes would be and dig out how they would be different, but for the most part, finding out we are all really the same.
How much time have you spent in India so far? In the past six months, I have made three trips. I spent two weeks in November, then five weeks in January-February and then, I came back in April for another week. Even when I was in America, I was doing long-distance work. They would send me outlines and scripts and I would give them notes. They would send me cuts of the show and I would give notes, which is interesting for me because obviously I don't speak Hindi, but I would watch it with a translation next to me and see how everything was playing out.
How close is 'Sumit Sambhal Lega' to 'Everybody Loves Raymond'? In essence, it is very close. Of course, there are certain episodes that you have to adapt. I was asked by the team if the parents in the Indian version can live in the same house (in the original, the parents visit the couple very often). I said, 'Sure, why not? Then you don't have to make excuses for why they are there all the time!' That made it easier.
Indian shows are known to be high on drama and that includes kitchen politics. Would you need to spice up the show to cater to that? I think it's already there. That's why Star wanted to do it because it's all about a family and family is universal.
Also, one of the central conflicts is between the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law and I was told that this relationship is huge in Indian soaps. Even though the show will revolve around the man, the relationship between his wife and the family seems to fit perfectly in Indian culture.
More on the show
The popular American television sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond' originally ran from September 13, 1996 to May 16, 2005 and has had reruns across many countries.
The show revolves around the life of Raymond Barone, a sportswriter living with his wife Debra and their kids. Raymond often finds himself in the middle of problems and arguments and finds it difficult to take a stand, especially if there is a chance that it will bring his mother's wrath down on him.
Source:-Indiatimes
"Sumit Sambhal Lega"StarPlus Upcoming Comedy Show Concept Wiki|StarCast|Timing|Promo|Song
Reviewed by Newstechcafe
on
June 21, 2015
Rating:
Reviewed by Newstechcafe
on
June 21, 2015
Rating:
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