Apr 22, 2026 5:01pm IST
‘Yaadein’ Producer Smruti Shinde on Going Off the Beaten Track (EXCLUSIVE)
Iqbal Khan and Gulki Joshi’s newly launched serial, “Hui Gumm Yaadein: Ek Doctor, Do Zindagiyaan,” is among a handful of shows on TV centered around a male protagonist. An adaptation of the blockbuster Italian series, “Doc-Nelle tue mani,” it is an emotional drama about a doctor. Smruti Shinde, producer and founder of SOBO Films, in a conversation with Variety India, speaks about why she decided to make a story around a man when TV thrives on selling stories revolving around toxic female relationships.
Excerpts:
How did the idea for the show come up?
It is an adaptation of a highly successful Italian series titled ‘Doc - Nelle tue mani.’ The original show has seen tremendous success, and what drew us to it is its strong, protagonist-driven narrative. We wanted to explore something in the male-led zone, and Sony SAB has always been known for doing something more layered and challenging for the Indian audience. That’s what led us to adapt this compelling concept.
Stories on Indian TV are dominated by female characters. What made you create a show around a male protagonist?
I feel male-led stories also need to be told, and this was a very interesting subject. If you look at current trends, whether in films or on OTT platforms, there is a strong preference for stories with male protagonists. This, in particular, is an excellent subject; at its core, it is a story of emotions.
How was the experience of collaborating with Iqbal Khan?
He is a very interesting person. I had met him a few times and had heard very, very good things about him. He’s a seasoned actor. Many readings and several workshops have gone into this. He has put in a lot of effort into it. I’m looking forward to spending more time with the actors, especially Iqbal, to understand his thoughts on the show.
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As a female producer, how would you describe your journey so far?
My journey has been great. I was a homemaker before this, so it’s been a journey filled with a lot of learning and new experiences. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people in the industry who have been here for a very long time, which has been incredibly enriching. It’s been a good journey and I truly enjoy my work.
Any female TV producer who mentored you?
Not at all. I didn’t have anyone to guide me into this industry; I did it purely out of impulse because I wanted to create something I could relate to. I set out to do something that mattered to society. I did a show for another platform that was largely about giving back to society, and that’s where my journey began. I’ve done a lot of shows across platforms. I also work in the regional space. I try to create content that can influence society, even if in a small way. And when I say influence, I don’t necessarily mean heavy social subjects, but stories that people enjoy watching, connect with and truly experience.
Many Indian TV serials revel in showcasing toxicity between female characters. Why do you think this is appealing to TV viewers?
If you think about it, a woman’s journey, whether it’s with her mother-in-law or even with her own mother at home, always comes with a certain dynamic. Even when there’s a lot of love, two women under one roof can often lead to chaos. Whether it’s your mother, sister, sister-in-law or mother-in-law, there’s always some level of friction. Now, imagine adding another woman to your husband’s life; it naturally creates even more chaos. And you’ll be surprised that while those of us living in metros may not relate to this beyond a point and may react strongly and choose to walk away, across the country, many women are incredibly resilient. They live with such situations and continue to fight; they don’t give up easily. It’s not as simple as saying, “My husband has another woman in his life, so I’ll just walk away.” They endure and they stand their ground. I think that’s why people are drawn to such stories. They want to watch the winners. In our everyday lives, we don’t always win, but when we see someone overcoming challenges on screen, it becomes aspirational. And I think that’s what truly connects with audiences.
Your son, Veer Pahariya, is an actor. Do you discuss content or share recommendations at home?
It’s a normal family. I mean, they are grown adult children, so we don’t really discuss work. We don’t bring work back home. We chill and talk about everyday things, but we don’t really get into work conversations. He has his own space and makes his own decisions, and I have my own way of working. We mostly talk about how tired we are that day, that’s about it. The rest is all home stuff.
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