In an exclusive interview with Filmfare, the esteemed couple, Ravi Dubey and Sargun Mehta, shared insights into their journey as partners in both their personal and professional endeavors.
Having been married for a decade, the dynamic duo has seamlessly integrated their personal and professional lives, embarking on various ventures together. Their notable achievements include television production, notably with the acclaimed series Udaariyaan, and a desire to further explore meaningful storytelling, aiming to establish a distinguished reputation in the industry.
It's been a decade since you two have been married. Any pearls of wisdom for the younger generation?
Sargun Mehta, a renowned name in the Punjabi film industry, has received widespread acclaim for her exceptional acting skills and performances. Meanwhile, Ravi Dubey has consistently embraced challenging roles, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to his craft. Together, they have embarked on innovative projects, focusing on social issues and raising awareness, believing in the importance of contributing to meaningful content.
In a candid conversation, the power couple discussed their upcoming projects, their popular Instagram song Ve Haaniyaan, and their dedication to creating content that is both compassionate and impactful.
Reflecting on their journey, Ravi Dubey shared that there are no specific pearls of wisdom for the younger generation. He emphasized the importance of a strong partnership, both personally and professionally, and the significance of gratitude in maintaining a healthy interpersonal dynamic.
Regarding their decision to get married, Sargun Mehta revealed that it was a realization that came after a significant period of time. Despite the conventional norms of marrying at a younger age, their union was a natural progression, driven by a deep connection and mutual understanding.
Ravi: It was a series of moments. You start with a certain fondness for a person and begin to really synergize with the person's personality. And as time passes, you get absolutely certain and sure that this is the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. That purity and that confidence only keeps multiplying by the day.
Your production venture, Udaariyaan has crossed 1000 episodes. It’s a great feat...
Sargun: It's difficult to believe that we've reached the milestone of 1000 episodes. Initially, there was a palpable sense of nervousness. The primary focus at the outset was on initiating the project, to the extent that the prospect of its success took a backseat. Our primary concern was the execution and the realization of our vision. Television, being a daily part of our lives, naturally consumed our attention, leaving little room for other aspects.
Ravi: Instead of delving into the intricacies of our personal relationship dynamics, I find myself more inclined to share our accomplishments, our endeavors, and our aspirations. We consider ourselves partners in every venture. The sense of achievement that accompanies these milestones is profound. Moreover, it's a lesser-known fact that Sargun has penned the entire script for our show. This is not unique to us; many of our productions bear Sargun's creative touch. "Udaariyaan" holds a special place in our hearts. Its success during these challenging times, amidst a fragmented audience landscape and a plethora of entertainment options, serves as a validation and a source of encouragement for future endeavors.
Since the two of you ventured into production, what's next?
Sargun: The idea of stepping into production was to make content that we like. Sometimes, there are films that should be on a certain platform but they are not. So, the idea of making content personally was that we wanted to star in projects that we love and believe in. We know that it would only happen if we take the risk that needs to be taken. So, on our end, that's exactly what we're doing. Whether we're coming up with a few OTT projects, the idea remains the same. There are a lot of stories we want to tell. Whether it is films, whether it is OTT, whether it is music videos, there is a lot that you are going to see from us. In fact, not only as producers, but also as actors.
Sargun, you have worked in the Punjabi industry for quite some time now. Looking back, do you think that you entered the industry at the correct moment and that helped you settle as an actress over the years?
Sargun: In my honest opinion, there is no definitive moment that one should embark on a career in the industry. My journey into the industry was a decision made when I felt ready to take that step. I recall sharing with Ravi instances where I lacked the confidence to make the leap. Consequently, even when opportunities presented themselves, I hesitated to seize them, primarily due to my uncertainty in my abilities. It was only when I felt a deep-seated conviction that I decided to pursue my passion.
Furthermore, my entry into the industry was not driven by the pursuit of success, given the industry's nascent stage at that time. The Punjabi film industry was virtually unknown, and success seemed like a distant dream. It was a challenge that I was willing to undertake, not for the sake of fame or fortune, but because it was a calling that resonated with my soul.
The narrative around my decision to shift from television to the Punjabi film industry was met with confusion. The name of the film I was involved in, "Angrej," was unfamiliar to many, leading to speculation about my sanity for venturing into an industry that was yet to gain recognition. However, as the film gradually gained popularity, it became evident that my decision was not a rash one but a well-considered one, driven by my passion and the desire to contribute to an industry that I believed in.
Ravi, your zero-budget project TACIIT has been recognized in India and the UK. Firstly, congratulations on the same. How important was it for you to create such a socially aware project?
Ravi: Thank you. It has always been our intention to create stories with concepts that resonate with us. It is not about the nickels and the pennies. We have been blessed with the opportunity and gradually are being blessed with the infrastructure to tell stories that make people think about the way they are living their lives, that make people think about social justice. So, TACIIT basically deals with domestic abuse and the victims of domestic abuse. We highlight social justice for them and try to create awareness for them. That was the basic intention of this project. I think we also wanted to set a template for ourselves in which we can produce content under a conservative budget. The intention is not always to make it a zero budget project, but to be very realistic about the budget. We try not to spend too much on frills and fancies. We always try to keep the melody of a project intact. So, I'm more excited about the fact that we've collectively been able to do something which hasn't cost us anything.
Could you share more along these lines with regard to your future projects?
Ravi: Farradday is a passion project that we are currently pursuing. It's pretty fascinating. But it is also being produced on a very tight budget. It will be a full-length feature picture, but we will be shooting it on a hilariously low budget. There will be other projects created with the same goal. However, some tasks will necessitate a specific timeline, canvas, and budget, therefore we will work accordingly.
Your song Ve Haaniyaan has become Instagram famous and has done some crazy numbers. The two of you look adorable in the music video...
Sargun: When we heard the song, we knew we did not want to script a story and shoot it. Since both of us were in the video, we thought it would look inorganic to script the video. The song is very simple but it has a great vibe to it. It somehow just felt like our own song. So, the idea was to create something which was more us and more real. The shoot was also very organic. I don't even think half the times we knew the camera was rolling. We didn't take too much pressure. We didn't know what the song was going to do. We took about seven days to prepare for the song but we shot it in two days. We went to different places in London and Brighton and we had a camera covering us. It felt like friends on a trip. I think the rawness and the realness of the video is what the audience is connecting to, because we are so used to having to see a story that sometimes, all you need is something real.
Sargun, we have known for a while that you are very fond of Shah Rukh Khan. Maybe, he could star in the song with you.
Ravi: Tell me about it! It would have been perfect.
Sargun: (Laughs) But it is still perfect, buddy.
But if you ever get to star in a movie with Shah Rukh Khan, what kind of movie do you want to star in?
Sargun: It is imperative that he seduces me for a duration of at least ten minutes throughout the film. This can be any movie of his choosing. He is required to perform a song such as "Zaalima" or "Suraj Hua Maddham." Together, we possess the strength to conquer the world. We are capable of achieving great feats, including being a hero, a warrior, a conqueror, and even a champion of dunking.
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