‘The biggest competitor to television is the digital platform’, Kailashnath Adhikari
Adhikari brothers, Gautam and Markand, are known for quality content creator of olden times. When there weren’t flurry of multiple channels, Adhikari brothers gave some of the most successful television serials on Doordarshan. The Adhikari brothers after setting up SAB TV brought comedy in fashion. It went on to become most successful channel devoted to comedy. To reach out to the wider section of the audience, they joined hands with Sony and Sony SAB became a premier channel. Now the second generation of Adhikaris is in command and Kailashnath Adhikari is managing things successfully.
Mr. Kailashnath Adhikari is a double post-graduate in accounting from the London School of Economics (LSE) and an ex- Govt. of India official having experience of working with the erstwhile Planning Commission of India. He is presently looking after and managing the business of the Company SAB TV and is responsible for creating new verticals for the publication business namely Digital vertical and Capacity Building Seminars. In a brief chat with the media baron.
What is the secret of the success of your channel bouquet and how much is Gautam sir’s and Makarand sir’s legacy behind it?
They were the real pioneers of initial television with thriller and comedy shows which were lapped up by the audiences .There was only Doordarshan then and shows like Damini, Bandini, Hello Inspector, Commander enjoyed great popularity and a new medium was born.
What made you sell your successful SAB TV to SONY?
SAB TV was the numero uno channel in comedy realm but we thought it needed better canvas and a bigger studio to back it so that a huge number of audiences can see it and today SONY SAB TV is one of the largest comedy channels with a big reach and pan India audience.
How is it possible that with so many music channels closing down especially in the Hindi film music realm, your music channel has emerged numero uno?
We have done a lot of research on what the music taste of the audience is, what appeals to the youth with charismatic anchors like Annu Kapoor and the songs we beep are real chart busters and hence it appeals to the taste of every music lover.
What are your opinions on the print media which is losing ground?
I don’t think the print media is losing ground because everyone who is used to his newspaper or magazine will read it with his cuppa of tea. They said the same when news channels with broadcast media came about but that didn’t dither the print media. Our political magazine E-Governence is doing very well and we organize a lot of seminars and news debates on political issues and they are very popular. Now with COVID 19 lockdown it has again affected the print media but is surely and steadily gaining on its own popularity.
What kind of content are you looking out for your OTT Platform?
Happi Digital is our OTT platform launched recently and we released my brother Ravi Adhikari’s film ‘Dheet Patangey ‘ to great popularity.
What are your future projects?
We are planning two huge big budget series for our OTT platform. Our niche channels Dabangg, Dhamaal and Maiboli are also doing well.
You have not produced a Hindi film after ‘Bhookamp’ and ‘Chhehra’ and also you have fared well in Marathi films. Any plans on this on the anvil?
Yes. I remember I was three year old when Bhookamp was released to great success and the character of Daya Pawar in it played by Mohan Joshi became very popular. But after that we concentrated on television and my dad and uncle found their calling in that. We plan a few Gujarati films too in the future. We have co-produced films like Total Dhammal , Pyaar Ka Punchnaama 2, Great Grand Masti, Wajah and our sister company SABTNL is into film production in a big way.
What do you envisage is television’s future?
Televisions future is bright but it has changed over the years and the channels have increased but the content has become more regressive. But what people want the channel GEC’S dish out the content. Of course the biggest competitor to television is the digital platform.