EXCLUSIVE: ‘If you make mythology an apology, no one will watch it,’ says producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary

Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary is known for creating extravagant world on the Indian television. He has backed a lot of mythological shows that have come on telly in recent times. From his famous Mahabharat to Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush, Mahakali, Suryaputra Karn, Porus, RadhaKrishn and many more, Siddharth has changed the face of portraying mythology on Indian TV.

Recently, the producer came up with his new show for Colors, Shiv Shakti that shows the life of Lord Shiva from a new perspective. Raam Yashvardhan and Shubha Rajput star as the titular characters in the show. Before the show’s premiere, Siddharth got in an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Bubble, where he spoke about his fascination with mythology.

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Siddharth Kumar Tewary on mythology connection

When asked about how his fascination with the genre started, Siddharth said, “You need to be firstly blessed to be able to even tell such stories. I never even imagined doing this. It all started with Mahabharata. When I spent 5 years studying and researching on it, I realised there is so much in our history and culture and we have to make it relevant for the current generation. We have to entertain and educate. I see it as history not mythology.”

On the responsibility of telling mythological stories

While Siddharth has been doing it efficiently for a long time, it isn’t easy to pull off mythological shows. They have the emotions and faith of many people associated with these stories and he acknowledges that. Amidst the release of Prabhas and Kriti Sanon starrer Adipurush, and Om Raut receiving flak for it, the discussion has become all the more poignant.

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Siddharth had his own take on being responsible when telling such stories. He insisted, “It’s our responsibility that we don’t tell such stories in a way that makes people feel bad. These are not to show how creative we are. I never compromise on the message of these stories. I always think of the purpose behind any story being written. These stories are for the people, not for our own.”

On delving in film production…

The scale, budget and grandeur that Siddharth brings to his shows could match any big-budgeted film. In 2017, he brought the biggest budgeted show on Indian TV with Porus. And he informed that people often ask him why he doesn’t delve into films.

He shared, “Business wise, it’s right also. But when you think of telling such stories, you have to do it in a way that people feel proud of it. If you make it an apology, they will not watch it. And it’s your duty as it is your culture, your history.” So, are their plans to get into film production? “Definitely, I will. The plan is going on. We will talk about it when it is ready,” he concluded.

Also Read: Insaan ki galtiyon ko nahi, bhavnao ko samjho: Kriti Sanon’s mother reacts on Adipurush controversy