Director's Kut Productions
{{short description|Indian production company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Director's Kut Productions
| logo = Director Kut's Productions Logo.jpg
| logo_size = 200px
| parent =
| foundation = 2007
| founder = Rajan Shahi
| location_country = Mumbai, India
| key_people = Rajan Shahi
| num_employees =
| industry = Entertainment
| products = Television series
Web series
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| homepage = [http://www.directorskutproduction.com/ directorskutproduction.com]
}}
Director's Kut Productions is an Indian television production company based in Mumbai, which is owned by Rajan Shahi.{{Cite web| title = International and home-grown formats can co-exist | url = http://www.financialexpress.com/news/-international-and-homegrown-formats-can-coexist-/800597/0|quote= UTV Television is now facing a stiff competition from a bunch of young entrants like Balaji, Director's Kut and .. | newspaper =The Financial Express | date = 8 June 2011 | access-date = 15 July 2013 }} Established in 2007, it produces television shows and web-series for various channels. Some of its notable works include: Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, Aai Kuthe Kay Karte and Anupamaa.
History
Rajan Shahi did his schooling from St Columbus, and got graduated from Hindu College, Delhi, and came to Mumbai.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hai-is-a-show-thats-truly-blessed-says-producer-rajan-shahi/articleshow/71096871.cms|title=Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is a show that's truly blessed, says producer Rajan Shahi|website=The Times Of India}}
In 1993, Shahi started his career as an assistant director.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/production-house/fiction/directors-kut-productions-rajan-shahi-on-exploring-new-genres-spin-offs-and-challenges-of-running-daily-shows|title=Directors-kut-productions-Rajan-Shahi-on-exploring-new-genres-spin-offs-and-challenges-of-running-daily-shows|website=Indian Television}} In 1999, Shahi made his directorial debut with the series Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/producer-rajan-shahi-i-worked-among-the-crowd-who-stood-behind-models-in-ads-when-i-first-came-to-mumbai/articleshow/63782103.cms|title=Producer Rajan Shahi: I worked among the crowd who stood behind models in ads when I first came to Mumbai|website=The Times Of India}} He then went on to direct series like Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Hamare Tumhare, Rishtey, Kareena Kareena, Reth, Mamtaa, Millee, Virasaat and Saathi Re. Thereafter he worked as a series director for Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar, Ghar Ki Laxmi Betiyaan and Maayaka.{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wH2jDwAAQBAJ&q=rajan+in+ghar+ki+lakshmi+betiyann&pg=PT162|title=The making of Star India|author=Vanita Kohli-Khandekar|date=25 July 2019|isbn=9789353055981}}
Eventually, he became a television producer and started his own production company in 2007. His first series as producer was Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai on Star Plus, followed by Shital Tai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Chand Chupa Badal Mein and Tere Sheher Mein on Star Plus.{{Cite web |author=Amrita Mulchandani | title = Rajan Shahi re-invents himself! | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Rajan-Shahi-re-invents-himself/articleshow/10642495.cms | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203053855/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-07/tv/30369273_1_alok-nath-kinshuk-mahajan-angad-hasija | url-status = live | archive-date = 3 December 2013 | date = 7 November 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India | access-date = 15 July 2013 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/telly-talk/gossip/article/producer-rajan-shahi-on-yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hais-success-its-a-challenge-to-keep-the-freshness-alive-tv-news/405391|title=Producer Rajan Shital on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai's success: 'It's a challenge to keep the freshness alive'|website=Times Now news}}
In 2019, they started producing Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke which is a spin-off of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai on the latter show's success. In 2019, the production house entered in Marathi GEC space and produce Marathi serial Aai Kuthe Kay Karte! for Star Network's Marathi channel Star Pravah. The Serial was later remade in Hindi as Anupamaa on Star Plus which premiered on 13 July 2020.
They also made a short film named Yolk for International film festival.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/director-s-kut-productions-first-short-film-international-film-festivals-170220|title=Director's Kut Productions' First 'short film' for International Film Festivals|website=Telly Chakkar}} They have a YouTube channel named Directors Kut Productions, which is run by Rajan Shahi's daughter, Ishika Shahi.
Current productions
=Television series=
| class="sortable wikitable"
|+ | ||
| Series | Channel | Premiere Date |
|---|---|---|
| Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
| rowspan="2" | Star Plus | 12 January 2009 | ||
| Anupamaa
| 13 July 2020 |
Former productions
=Web series=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Series
! Platform ! Premiere Date ! Notes |
|---|
| Anupama: Namaste America
| 25 April 2022 | Prequel web series to Anupamaa |
Controversies
- When Karan Mehra and Hina Khan quit Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai in June 2016 and November 2016 respectively then producer Rajan Shahi exclaimed that, "With due respect to both the actors, it is a fact that after Naitik (Karan's character) left, we could consolidate our position much stronger and the TRPs actually increased. Likewise, after Hina's exit, the show has grown."{{cite web |date=2017-01-11 |title=Akshara-Naitik's exit has made Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai better, says producer Rajan Shahi |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hai-hina-khan-karan-mehra-producer-rajan-shahi-naira-karthik-wedding-4469073/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{cite web |date=2017-01-19 |title=Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai? It's Hina Khan - Karan Mehra vs Producer Rajan Shahi! |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news-gossip/370952/yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hai-its-hina-khan-karan-mehra-vs-producer-rajan-shahi |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218105954/https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news-gossip/370952/yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hai-its-hina-khan-karan-mehra-vs-producer-rajan-shahi |url-status=dead }} This badly hurt Hina and Karan and the production house landed into a controversy. In response to the interview, a hurt Hina Khan, "I don't want to get into this blame game. Well, he can say whatever he wishes to." She further added, "why was he quiet when we were part of the show for eight long years? During that time, he went on record to praise both of us for our dedication and professionalism. And honestly, we were probably the only lead pair on television who continued to be with the show for eight consecutive years. Despite the work pressure, disagreements and other work opportunities, we continued to stay loyal to the show and supported the producer."{{cite web |date=2017-01-19 |title=Hina Khan hurt by Rajan Shahi comment: I was in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai for 8 years, why was he quiet then? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/hina-khan-hurt-by-rajan-shahi-comment-i-was-in-yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hai-for-8-years-why-was-he-quiet-then-4482059/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{cite web |date=2017-05-09 |title=EXCLUSIVE- Hina Khan on tiff with mentor Rajan Shahi: Life is too short to react on such things |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/serial-updates/378246/exclusive-hina-khan-tiff-mentor-rajan-shahi-life-too-short-react-such |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218105954/https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/serial-updates/378246/exclusive-hina-khan-tiff-mentor-rajan-shahi-life-too-short-react-such |url-status=dead }} While Karan said, "Everyone on the set and the channel knows my work and attendance records. If he is saying that I worked for two-three hours, he is referring to someone else because my attendance register is the proof. Also, I gave my notice period in advance. I don't know who he has a grudge against and why is he saying it now? I was thanked by the channel and Rajan sir when I quit, so I don't understand how this has emerged now. Honestly, I am happy in my space and looking forward to new beginnings. I am not in touch with him anymore and I can't keep commenting on other people's grievances. All I can say is, 'To each his own'."{{cite web |title=Karan Mehra on Yeh Rishta...'s 3000 episodes: Rajan Shahi sir and I congratulated each other, no hard feelings for anyone - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/karan-mehra-on-yeh-rishta-s-3000-episodes-rajan-shahi-sir-and-i-congratulated-each-other-no-hard-feelings-for-anyone/articleshow/71099819.cms |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
- The production company and producer Rajan Shahi again faced a controversy in July 2022 with actor Paras Kalnawat who portrayed "Samar Shah" in Anupamaa when the latter decided to participate in rival channel's dance-based reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 and he terminated Kalnawat's contract quoting "We as a production house won't entertain breach of contract. We have terminated his services as an actor with immediate effect. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors".{{cite web|date=2022-07-26|title=Anupamaa makers terminate Paras Kalnawat's contract after he signs up Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10, actor responds|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/paras-kalnawat-contract-terminated-anupamaa-jhalak-dikhhla-jaa-10-8053372/|access-date=2022-07-26|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} While Paras said, "Everything is great with Anupamaa but I did not see my character evolving. I have huge respect for Rajan sir and the team and wish them all the best. At this stage of my career, I wanted to take up a new challenge. Also, I must add that I did inform the production about my decision, however, due to the channel and contract clauses, it wouldn't have been possible for me to continue with Anupamaa after signing Jhalak". He further said, "My character never evolved since past one year and after Anagha's exit I was just reduced to a family member standing in background with nothing to do" and he signed off calling whatever happened was a "nightmare" and "sigh of relief" as makers asked him to choose between the two revealing many dark secrets of the production house{{Cite web|title=Exclusive Interview! "Dark & Shady Things Happened With Me", Paras Kalnawat bares it all|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/paras-kalnawat-bares-it-all-dark-shady-things-happened-with-me-in-anupamaa-exclusive-interview/articleshow/93279372.cms|access-date=2022-08-15|website=The Times of India|language=en}} including his return to show within five days of his father's demise as leads were tested COVID-19 positive.{{cite web|title="My character was just reduced to being a family member in background with nothing to do anything and it never evolved" says Paras Kalnawat clearing the rumours about being kicked off from Anupamaa and reveals he himself quitted the series|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/paras-kalnawat-on-being-out-of-anupamaa-my-character-was-not-growing-i-did-not-want-to-be-reduced-to-a-family-member-in-the-background/articleshow/93145335.cms|access-date=2022-07-26|website=Times of India|language=en}}{{cite web |title=Anupamaa makers said I can't do Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 because it's on rival channel |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news-gossip/paras-kalnawat-exclusive-anupamaa-makers-said-i-cant-do-jhalak-dikhhla-jaa-10-because-its-rival-channel-1168206 |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=Pinkvilla |language=en}}{{cite web|title=Paras Kalnawat calls Anupamaa a "nightmare" and termination a "sigh of relief" as posts a sign-off note|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/paras-kalnawat-calls-anupamaa-a-nightmare-and-termination-of-his-contract-a-sigh-of-relief-5635225.html|access-date=2022-07-27|website=News18|language=en}}{{cite web|title="It's a heartbreaking situation for me as nobody talked to me about this", Paras Kalnawat on his contract being terminated|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/exclusive-paras-kalnawat-on-his-contract-being-terminated-from-anupamaa-it-is-a-heartbreaking-situation-for-me-because-nobody-spoke-to-me-about-it/articleshow/93165757.cms|access-date=2022-07-28|website=Times of India|language=en}}
- The production house and Rajan Shahi came into bad light in March 2024 when Rajan Shahi terminated two actors Shehzada Dhami and Pratiksha Honmukhe, portraying the fourth generation male lead and parallel lead Armaan Poddar and Ruhi Birla Poddar respectively in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, citing "unprofessional behavior" and replaced them with Rohit Purohit and Garvita Sadhwani respectively overnight and the termination and replacements getting backed by few cast members. {{Cite web|title=From being accused of unprofessional behaviour to getting replaced overnight: All that went down with Yeh Rishta’s Shehzada Dhami and Pratiksha Honmukhe|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/from-being-accused-of-unprofessional-behaviour-to-getting-replaced-overnight-all-that-went-down-with-yeh-rishtas-shehzada-dhami-and-pratiksha-honmukhe/photostory/108732279.cms|access-date=2024-12-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
- On 14 November 2024, a 32-years-old crew member, Vineet Kumar Mandal who worked as a camera attendant in Anupamaa died of electrocution whilst filming. Following which AICWA lodged a case against the production house for negligence in safety measures of crew members on sets and trying to suppress the matter by being backed by the channel.{{Cite web|title=Anupamaa crew member electrocuted on set, dies|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/anupamaa-crew-member-dies-after-being-electrocuted-on-set-9673723/|access-date=2024-11-17|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}
- On 20 December 2024, the production house once again faced a controversy when they suddenly terminated actress Alisha Parveen Khan who was portraying second generation lead Aadhya Kapadia in Anupamaa and got her replaced within few hours by Adrija Roy.{{Cite web|title=Shivam Khajuria Reveals The REAL Reason Behind Alisha Parveen's Exit: I Spoke To Rajan Sir...|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tv/shivam-khajuria-reveals-the-real-reason-behind-alisha-parveen-exit-from-anupamaa-i-spoke-to-rajan-sir-article-116528071|access-date=2024-12-21|website=Times Now News|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Anupamaa: Alisha Parveen Suddenly Replaced By Adrija Roy In Rupali Ganguly’s Show, Says ‘I Am Clueless’|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tv/anupamaa-alisha-parveen-suddenly-replaced-by-adrija-roy-in-rupali-ganguly-show-says-i-am-clueless-article-116522880|access-date=2024-12-21|website=Times Now News|language=en}} Regarding her termination Khan said, "It is shocking and disappointing. I am not sure what exactly happened and why I am being replaced! Today was my last day on the set of Anupamaa."{{Cite web|title=I have no idea why I have been replaced in Anupamaa: Alisha Parveen|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/i-have-no-idea-why-i-have-been-replaced-in-anupamaa-alisha-parveen/articleshow/116512026.cms|access-date=2024-12-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
References
External links
- [http://www.directorskutproduction.com/ Official website]
{{Director's Kut Productions}}
- {{instagram|directorskutproduction}}
Category:Television production companies of India
Category:Companies based in Mumbai
Category:Mass media companies established in 2007