Exclusive: You've to be passionate and equally creative everyday, says Balumamachya Navana Changbhala's director Santosh Ayachit

Balumamachya Navana Changbhala TV show has managed to grab eyeballs of the audience since its launch. The show hooked viewers because of its direction and compelling storyline. The show recently completed the milestone of 600 episodes. The director and writer of the show Santosh Ayachit exclusively spoke to ETimes TV and spoke abot ther show's 600 episode journey.
The director and writer said, "Talking about Balumamachya Navana Changbhala, I came across saint Balumama's life story at his mausoleum in Kolhapur.After reading that, I realized that we had such a great man whose story is waiting to be narrated, which will inspire all the generations. After reading it I realized that we have such strong literature amongst us which would be a masterpiece if it is made for TV. And, when I narrated this story to producer Nikhil Sane, he really liked it and the show became a reality. And I have observed this in the audience that if you offer a different story they accept it wholeheartedly.
Talking about making a spiritual story on-screen, Santosh said, "Whether it is spiritual or horror, regardless of the genre, there should always be an underlying story to whatever you are trying to narrate. Only then it will keep the audience hooked to it. For example, when narrating a spiritual story, I have to look at each character, I have to look at their story and then try to narrate it, only then I will do justice to it. The audience accepts the characters in the storyline and they along with the storyline should be equally strong. Even though the genre is different, when it comes to treating a Horror Story there should be a character that lifts your narration. To support my character, I add some fictional supporting cast which will beautifully knit together the entire story. The genre never defines whether it is going to be a hit serial or not, the story defines it.
The director says he always wanted to show the history of Balumama since his childhood. He clarified, "For instance, you won’t find single literature that will tell you the childhood story of Balu mama. But I decided to start the story from his childhood so that the audience understands the enormity of the character. I also created virtual characters that will support my story. And all this is possible and much easier to pen down but to make it a reality and show it on screen matters a lot. The practical implication matters the most. In my case as I write my own stories, I exactly know what I have written and how can I show that on screen. Both the writer part of me and the director part of me stays on a single page, which is very important".
The director/writer wants to inspire young directors of television by sharing his few tips. He stated, "You got to be really intense and, on your toes, everyday for your story to work. You can’t let go a single day pass where you are not at your best. You have to be equally passionate everday, equally alive and most importantly equally creative everyday; only then television is made for you".