On the WRITE lines

Mona

All of 26, Sumrit Shahi, the author of Never Kiss Your Best Friend, the bestseller that is now a ZEE5 Originals series, feels like he’s a father whose kid is getting into college!

The initial response has left this author from Chandigarh overwhelmed, “With the book having got such a huge response, I was anxious if the series would find a spot in viewers’ heart. I am glad the first words are all positive.”

Big question

Kya ek ladki aur ladka dost ho sakte hain...is one quintessential question of the Indian cine-world. And, Never Kiss Your Best Friend is another show that addresses the question all over again. So, can they? “You have to see the show to know that,” says Sumrit. On the side, he admits, “Was rather tough for me though.”

The show is set in London. “While the book had Chandigarh in its plot, I really could have used a vacation. So, I took cinematic liberty and we shot it in London,” says Sumrit, who also did the screenplay and dialogues for the show.

Book wise

Can a book really be turned into an effective film? “Yes and a no. Reading is a very subjective experience; every individual has their own vision of a character, scene and so on. Cinematic expression might not necessarily match with that.”

Harry Potter is one series that he loved reading, “The films were amazing, but JK Rowling’s writing is even more amazing.” However, You by Caroline Kepnes is what he enjoyed as a series better than the book.

Lessons learnt

Quiz him on lessons he learnt in writing for television in the last 10 years and he’s quick to answer. “One has to write consistently; it does look dreamy to go into the woods and write, but you can write well anywhere if you put your heart to it.”

He also says write what you believe in. “Trying to cater to readers’ tastes never works; write what you have conviction about.” Thirdly, he insists that you must write if you think you can make a difference. “If you have an opinion, time to express that is now.”

In fact, his next one has a girl and a guy supporting opposing parties, a story born in the current times. “My writing remains the same though – light-hearted; it’s the current issues that I want to talk about.”

Know the author

• Last author that you loved: David Levithan; the way he crafts his characters is brilliant.
• Contemporary favourite author: All are doing well for themselves; I am partial for Durjoy Dutta for I have worked with him. His writing has evolved over a period of time
• Favourite series based on a book: You by Caroline Kepnes
• In your free time: I learn new things. I am learning Spanish these days.
• On handling challenges of life: I have recently started learning meditation. I think everyone should give it a go; it is a must to make sense out of the ever-changing life.

mona@tribunemail.com