MUMBAI: In one of the sessions of day 2 of The Content Hub 2020 organised by Indian Television.com, Sandiip Sikcand shared his thoughts on the challenge television is facing today in a conversation with Indiantelevision.com editor-in-chief, CEO and founder Anil Wanvari. He also briefed the audience on his journey from being a garment exporter to creative director to creative head to producer.
Sikcand said, “I am a classic example of who can learn at the place of work. My first job in the industry was with Balaji Telefilms’ Kayaamat as a creative director. I have learnt from the best teachers in the industry on how to create characters and take risks.”
He also said, “The channel people are in same level of stress what the creative people or producers are. I understand both the side and bring learning lessons from the creator and channel and that’s what make me a successful producer.”
“Over the period of time I have learnt to create characters who resonate with viewers, early from Parvati in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki to Sonakshi in Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum. Creative head is someone who brings everything to one spot. He/she takes the show from his/her thoughts to screen,” said Sikcand.
He added: “Yes, we are taking off Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum but that won’t stop me from creating different stories.”
Sikcand also believes that the challenge television is facing today is in creating sticky content. “With OTT coming in picture today everybody has an opportunity to watch the show anywhere and anytime on their phone. It’s not like another time when people would rush to catch up their favorite show on television.”
He also said, “OTT is a blessing and a curse as well. Curse because television doesn’t have a privilege to create any kind of content. So, if television needs to survive we have to keep on telling and creating different stories.”
He opined, “Television also needs to do things similar to OTT like they only care about views and not about TRPs. Television needs to keep the rating aside and focus on creating good shows. I understand advertising comes from TRPs but we need to change all of these.”
Sikcand added: “The problem with television is that there is no good or bad content, there is only good TRP show and bad TRP show.”
