Story, screenplay and dialogues writer Ashok Upadhyay, a well known figure in Hindi, Marathi, Guajarati, Rajasthani, Urdu and English comedy dramas, serials and films speaks exclusively to Paresh B. Mehta, Editor of Filmytown.com about his upcoming Gujarati feature film Goti Lo. We also ventured into his past, struggling days and about his work style.
Goti Lo… upcoming Gujarati Feature Film
“My film Goti Lo… has been adapted from the famous Gujarati lyricist and poet Shri Ramesh Parekh’s poem “Hoon Ne Chandu Chhana Mana…”, and the film was shot at the birthplace of poet Shri Umashankar Joshi. This is purely a Family Entertainer featuring Padma Shri awardee Manoj Joshi along with an NRI Gujarati boy Manav Rao,” reveals Upadhyay who has done it’s screenplay and dialogues.
Featuring well known actors in Gujarati film industry, Goti lo… is presented by Pragatya Films Pvt. Ltd. in association with Ish Creations (USA), directed by Deepak Antani, produced by Gaurang Bhavsar (USA), co-produced by Prasand Patel (Aakhaj) and it’s story by Gaurang Bhavsar with Ashok Upadhyay as a screenplay and dialogues writer.
Ashok Upadhyay rose to fame with his writing for initial series of widely popular Tarak Mehta ka Oolta Chashma and then established his name as one of the most dependable and successful story and screenplay writer with Badi Door Se Aaye Hai and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki (Hindi), Mahi Sagar, Baalgopal Kare Dhamaal, Narayan Narayan, Naya Mahisagar and Bhabhi among sever other television soaps and comedies.
From selling house-hold items by the roadside… First break as a story screenplay writer
“Around 1990 as our family’s financial position was precarious, I dropped out of my last year in school and began selling combs, soap boxes, nail cutters and other items by the roadside in Masjid Bunder area in South Mumbai. I got introduced to theatre in 1991-92 by Girish Desai (Krutika Desai’s father) whom I regard as my first GURUJI. Girisibhai provided me an opportunity to work as a ‘back-stage works’ for NOKHI MATI NOKHA MANAVI with a remuneration of Rs 25 per show, a princely amount for that period!”
“Whereas, my first break as a freelance professional writer of a Gujarati play is SAMBANDHO NI PELE PAAR (1992), a social comedy that was staged in Jai Hind auditorium, Bhavans Chowpatty, Birla Matoshree, BKK and elsewhere,” reveals Ashok Upadhyay while proudly emphasising that he can show his ‘SSC Fail Certificate’ and crediting Imtiyaz Patel who mentored him in his early days.
Proud of his Kathiawadi roots
How could a SSC failed person write original stories without grammatical errors or other flaws? “I have been brought up in Anjaar in Kathiawad where “Shudh Gujarati” is spoken and appeals Universally. I have been an avid reader too. I have also assisted Feroze Bhagat in several plays. I was more into acting in my early days, since I have been gifted with original vocabulary and a loud voice which can be modulated in several styles. I the did play writing for Parnia te Patni na Sharne that again became a superhit,” he signified.
Among other of his well known works are Sonu Sweety, Platform No 9, Knock Knock Kaun Hai, Happy Home Society, Hum Paanch and Padosan. Among his earlier writings include Rajani, Kabhi yeh Kabhi Woh and Chamatkaar.
‘Today’s screenplay writing is akin to a Fast Food Stall’
How is screenplay writing different for theatre vis a vis a feature film? “In a drama we have to convey the subject and the story in maximum 7 scenes, whereas in a feature film the same is conveyed in 70 and more scenes. Ofcourse writing for a drama is more challenging as compared to writing for feature film, though films are more paying as compared to dramas,” reveals Ashok Upadhyay who has written for over 2,000 television serials, about 10 dramas and several films like Haseena Maan Jayegi, Jodi No 1, Bhoot Bangla, Pardesh, Shastra and Suraksha. He further revealed that in present times the writer is given a day or two for writing the episode, else some other writer is ever willing to do it.
“I recall for a Gujarati serial ‘Matha bhare Manjula’, I used to get only a day or even less to script the screenplay with having a meeting in the evening and the next morning before 7 am the scenes would be ready for the first half. Though the usual time for scripting a 20 plus minutes television serial is about 2 days.
Exploring new trajectory – From Social Dramas, Comedies to Suspense Thrillers
Ashok Upadhyay has written a suspense thriller ‘Tota Ud Maina Ud’ that would be shortly releasing on Netflix. Another thriller ‘Maya Jaal’ too will be released in the coming year. A noticeable fact is that both are in Hindi.
He has also been an associate director for Gujarati Theatre with Feroz Bhagat. Gujarati plays like Aa paar k pele paar, Kem cho Majama?, Shubh din aayo re, Amara jeva kkoi nahi, Masti maa marriage, marriage ma masti, Ja tari sathe kitta and U turn. Hindi plays Kucch khatti kucch mitthi, Aaye dur se milne huzur se also are credited to his name. Gujarati serials like Mathabhare Manjula, Kankupagla, Na Ghar No Na Ghaat No, Sansar, Adhikaar, Bhai Tamaru to Kehvu Pade,Tikdam Show, Chagan Magan Jasoos,
Gujarati films too have his original emotional, family dramas and comedies like Akahd Saubhagyavati, Chagan Chogala No Varghodo and Santu Rangeeli among well known hits along with Saasu Sher To Jamai Sava Sher, Jai Maa Asha Pura, Jai Momai Maa, Gharwali Baharwali Kaamwali, Kinjal Ni Dhamaal and Jessu Jordaar.
Everything accomplished… now what?
“I am interested in direction. I began with being a spot boy, a writer, an actor, an assistant writer/director and having experienced these departments of theatre and films all throughout my journey. I am keen to jump into the school of direction of a drama, television serial and maybe even a feature film.”
