Friday, 02 July 2021 | Suparn Varma
The best way to celebrate success is by getting back to work, for it should be enjoyed in a way that drives and empowers, says Suparn Varma in a conversation with Anupma Khanna
Having touched highs like making it to an enviable fourth rank on IMDB’s list of most popular shows in the world, attracting a massive global viewership since its premiere and winning widespread critical acclaim, The Family Man: Season 2 has become one of the biggest Indian hits released on the OTT platform. And for the makers of the web series the best way to celebrate this success is by getting back to work, for success should be enjoyed in a way that drives and empowers, says Suparn Varma, co-director and co-writer of the second season of the edgy action-drama starring Manoj Bajpayee.
When we ask him whether the makers expected the phenomenal response to the show, Suparn shares, “While filming the second season we were hoping that the audience would like it and that we were doing justice to the first season. We focussed on how we could take the second season to the next level. Honestly, the audience’s reaction to the second season has been overwhelming from day one. Viewers have loved The Family Man: S2 so much that the show now belongs to the audience, they own it. Like the way the government used memes of Chellam Sir, it is a testament to the far-reaching popularity of the show.”
For Suparn, personally, more than anything else it has been about the sense of responsibility that he has felt towards the creators of the show, Raj Nirimoru and Krishna DK. As a new member of the team, he wanted to do justice to their baby and that pressure was greater than that of the audience itself, as the duo happen to be his close friends. And everything turned out well, as it has been one of the most creatively satisfying experiences of his life so far, he admits. “It was a great collaboration. Raj and DK are the two most brilliant minds. We love the same kind of cinema, we come from the same school of thought and I think our collaboration had been in the offing for a long time so, when it happened, it was magical. In the writer’s room, there would be no space for ego, it was all about the best idea possible and about pushing each other to bring out our best. Everyone in the crew bonded so strongly. In Family Man: S2 we had a dream team coming together and that is also a big reason for its success,” Suparn says.
As fans wait eagerly for the next season, Suparn hints at what season three of The Family Man could have while avoiding any spoilers and leaving many cliffhangers, “The last scene of the second season sets the tone that it has caught up with the Covid world. India has been impacted by two waves of COVID-19. Simultaneously, something is happening in Kolkata. We have indicated that there is a Chinese threat. Then there is the question of what is going to happen between Shuchi and Srikant. Dhriti, as Srikant Tiwari’s daughter, has been through a dark phase and done something that is going to impact her in a big way and perhaps change her as a person. Zoya, hopefully will heal and come back. What will Atharva grow up to be like? Will JK find love? There are so many things that are up in the air.”
Suparn views the emergence of OTT platforms as the golden age of storytelling, where it is all about being pushed to tell the best tales in the best way possible and competing with the finest in the world. “There is such amazing talent coming from all over the country, not just metros like Delhi or Mumbai. It is giving rise to so many voices. Our language, culture, talent and stories from the true heartland of India are being adapted beautifully. When I started working as a scriptwriter, I was often told that, my style was ‘too Hollywood’ and my scripts were ‘dry’ meaning that they did not have masala. Displeased, I would sometimes reply ‘paani daal doon?’ But in the last few years with the evolution of OTT platforms, storytelling has caught up where now we are making stories for a worldwide audience. And even in India, the audience has been exposed to narratives from around the world due to which there is now an evolving appetite for content that is a lot more contemporary and international. I am very glad that I am reaching my peak as a filmmaker at a time when we are living in the golden age of storytelling,” he adds thoughtfully
And what is the one learning that Suparn has got working with the iconic Bollywood actor, Manoj? “The one thing I learnt from Manoj is to never become complacent. Even if you have achieved success, try to push yourself further to be better. Despite the high level of success that he has reached already, Manoj would immerse himself completely in thinking about how to give his best in every scene. There is no ego. There is just this quest for self-improvement and that makes Manoj not just an amazing actor but a wonderful human being. He is very humble and not influenced by celebrityhood in any way. He has seen so much during his journey that he knows fame is transient but what will always remain are his performances. And his focus is on giving his best to every little detail. When we start applying this to everything we do in our life, we are chasing excellence,” he shares.
We wrap up the interview with one last question and as Suparn expresses that success to him is the power to say no, his eyes emanate the intensity of a man who has weathered many a storm to steer his own course, navigating the shores of his heart.
