After government stints at such Indian media giants as Eros Worldwide, Abundantia Leisure and Reliance Leisure, Singh joined Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bhansali Productions in 2019, heading up operations on the Bollywood powerhouse.
Singh has expanded the corporate’s enterprise to the small display screen with the epic sequence Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, a Netflix authentic concerning the lives of tawaifs — the courtesan singer-dancer-poets who catered to Indian the Aristocracy — through the Indian independence motion in opposition to the British Raj. The sequence has already been renewed for a second season.
Singh sees the rise of streaming platforms in India as a possibility to higher replicate the nation’s “wealthy cultural panorama” in its tales. “By addressing social points and showcasing regional cultures, we are able to create content material that resonates with individuals from all walks of life,” she says. “The rise of streaming platforms provides us an unbelievable alternative to convey these tales to the forefront, fostering a deeper understanding of the distinctive realities that form our nation.”
Picked as considered one of THR‘s 2024 Most Highly effective Ladies in Worldwide TV, Singh displays on the impression the worldwide streamers have had on the Indian trade, the challenges of translating Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “larger-than-life” cinema to the small display screen and her recommendation for younger ladies coming into the enterprise: “Be fearless, be daring, and develop into a girl who has her personal story to inform.”
What was your first job within the enterprise?
India has and continues to be — now greater than ever earlier than — a sturdy, numerous leisure trade. Pan-Indian and past diaspora content material is not a factor of the long run, however very a lot our current. For me, it began 20 years in the past at Eenadu, one of many largest media homes within the South. So sure, whereas I’m now knee-deep in Hindi movies and streaming content material, my first gig had me working with Telugu information. I’ve spent my entire profession throughout totally different roles in media, however I by no means fairly imagined my journey would take me from Telugu headlines to Hindi function movie units!
What was the most important skilled problem you confronted this previous 12 months?
With Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s repute for creating visually beautiful, larger-than-life movies, we knew each episode of Heeramandi would have the dimensions of a function movie, with every track feeling like its personal manufacturing. It was extremely rewarding to see him work his magic on set, nevertheless it was additionally bodily and mentally demanding for your entire workforce. Balancing that cinematic scale with the calls for of an episodic format for Netflix pushed us to our limits. However in the long run, the consequence made each little bit of exhausting work value it.
What do you see as your largest achievement of the previous 12 months?
Ever since I’ve joined Bhansali Productions, I’ve at all times heard Mr. Bhansali specific how deeply music evokes him; he really breathes and lives it like nobody else. His movies are inherently musical, with each track usually turning into a blockbuster in its personal proper. This previous 12 months has been extremely thrilling as we introduced his imaginative and prescient of launching a music label, Bhansali Music, to life, starting with the album of Heeramandi. Opposite to well-liked perception that sequence music usually fails to attach with audiences, we’re really completely happy and grateful for the optimistic reception we’ve acquired.
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
Netflix
What must be achieved to enhance equality and variety throughout the trade?
We’ve come a good distance, and there’s at all times area for extra inclusive narratives that commemorate the varied voices in our society. India’s wealthy cultural panorama have to be mirrored in our tales. By addressing social points and showcasing regional cultures, we are able to create content material that resonates with individuals from all walks of life. The rise of streaming platforms provides us an unbelievable alternative to convey these tales to the forefront, fostering a deeper understanding of the distinctive realities that form our nation. Finally, what we inform mirrors who we’re and the way we strategy storytelling.
What’s or has been the best problem in being a girl on this (nonetheless very male-dominated) trade?
I’ve by no means seen my expertise on this trade as a battle and infrequently really feel a robust reference to my male counterparts. Nevertheless, should you ask whether or not we may gain advantage from a extra female strategy — one which emphasizes storytelling and nurturing expertise — my reply can be sure. This isn’t about gender however about creating an surroundings that values collaboration and creativity.
What present trade development do you hope to quickly see the again of?
The overwhelming reliance on formulation that prioritize marketability over creativity. The trade usually churns out content material that follows the identical patterns, resulting in stale and uninspired storytelling. What I’ve realized from Mr. Bhansali is to stay daring and revolutionary, specializing in authentic narratives fairly than simply field workplace outcomes.
What recommendation would you give younger ladies simply coming into the trade?
Be fearless, be daring and develop into a girl who has her personal story to inform.
What present, at present on air, would you like to have made?
The Crown stands out for its immaculate consideration to element and grandeur — one thing that aligns with our storytelling ethos at Bhansali Productions.
What do you look ahead to pleasure?
Escaping into the carefree narrative of Emily in Paris is really a pleasurable indulgence — it’s a pleasant deal with for my thoughts, with sufficient drama and colourful characters. Plus, I like the way it simply doesn’t take itself critically in any respect!
What do you do to unwind?
There’s nothing like coming house to play with my six-year-old daughter and revel in her imaginative tales. Although I need to admit, typically these tales take a backseat as a result of purchasing could be simply as a lot enjoyable!