Historical shows are not documentaries, says the writer of ‘Lokmanya’

Aparna Padgaonkar is a known name when it comes to historical shows. She has been the creative producer for ‘Mere Sai – Shraddha aur Saburi’ and ‘Punyashlok Ahilyabai’. She was the writer for ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar – Mahamanvachi Gauravgatha’, another historical show.

Aparna Padgaonkar has also been associated with another popular historical show ‘Punyashlok Ahilyabai’.

Now, she is back as a writer for ‘Lokmanya’, currently on air on Zee Marathi and Zee5. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a staunch nationalist, had launched the Home Rule League and had famously said, “Swarajya is my birthright and I will have it.”

Deccan Chronicle caught up with the writer to understand the unique dynamics that go into the exhaustive research to bring to life a character like Tilak.

Congratulations on the new show ‘Lokmanya’. Can you please tell us why this specific subject was chosen?

Thank you. This subject had been lingering on my mind for a long time. It is very important to see that time period with a lot of caution. 1880 onwards, a period of 25 years is considered a “renaissance” for Maharashtra and ultimately for the entire country. This period saw an upheaval bringing in many changes. Tilak’s story in a way depicts this changing society. Hence, it is very important.

How much of this show is fiction and how much of it is fact?

We would like to depict all the major instances that happened in his life and in the socio-political surrounding. The presentation is fictional but not the instances. We are taking utmost care not to promulgate any ideology. We shall try to cover all those aspects of his life which were important for public life. Those instances which make an impact on the shaping up of Maharashtra socially, politically and culturally, will for sure find a mention.

What were the unique challenges you faced while researching/writing for ‘Lokmanya’?

Lokmanya Tilak is a multi-faceted leader. Even kids talk about him during elocution competitions. Everyone will try to find what matches his or her impressions. So, creating one image with which everyone can identify, is the biggest challenge. And this has to be achieved without altering facts.

Is the story going to focus more on his personal life or his contribution to society and the Independence movement?

A leader like Lokmanya Tilak is no different in his personal life than his stance in public life. It is very important to understand their deeds through their writings, speeches, and also personal interactions. As much personal life is required to be shown, we will certainly show. It is very important to have an emotional touch to the story for the audience to remain hooked. This emotion shall come through the personalized presentation of his public life.

What, in your opinion, is the USP of this historical show?

History itself. The era, lifestyle, thought process… everything. Common people love to go back to their roots. So, such a show can become the foundation of any society. It is a notebook on subaltern history. We are trying our best to recreate that era despite time and budget constraints.

What sort of research has gone into building the character and story of Tilak?

Arvind Gokhale has been our research guide for the show. He has been an eminent journalist and a scholar on Tilak. He was an editor for ‘Kesari’, the newspaper founded by Lokmanya himself. So, he is connected with the project even emotionally.

A lot of inputs have been taken from biographies of other contemporaries like Agarkar, M.G. Ranade, V.B. Phadke, and others. Also, various books on Maharashtra and especially Pune, Deccan College, or Ferguson College were studied by the research team to have references for people, costumes, architecture, etc.

Did you meet his family members? Any objections or suggestions from them?

The launch of this show happened at the Kesari Wada in Pune in the presence of family members. We were happy that they appreciated the episode and extended a helping hand for any reference.

Historical shows start with a bang but sustaining the momentum is a problem. What care has been taken to avoid this?

(laughs). Trade secret…. stick to the facts… If the story lingers around fictional aspects which have nothing to do with public life, then the audience may develop fatigue. So, maintaining pace is the key. It is also risky to add too many details that are beyond the reach of a common audience to handle. Historical projects - be it TV or film or OTT – are not 100 percent pure history but an honest tool to drive the interested ones towards reading more history.

How has been the response so far for the show?

Audiences have welcomed this show with affection, and alertness. For some Lokmanya Tilak is a “rightist” and “anti-woman”, “anti-religious development” leader. We often forget that he is the one who proclaimed the demand for political freedom in very clear words. He was also a scholar of mathematics and Oriental studies. Viewers try to find their perception of him in the character we have sketched. So, it is quite challenging.

Generally, any work based on history invites its share of criticism and controversy. Any such fears for ‘Lokmanya’?

We are doing it with no malicious motive in mind. If anyone shows our mistakes, we shall correct them. Praise will certainly make us feel good. But positive criticism will make us better at our work.

Is ‘Lokmanya’ a series with a finite number of episodes?

It is a finite series, though the exact number is very difficult to ascertain, as this is a long-format show. As the research is still on, we continue to find many more things which we were not aware of earlier, and are equally important. But certainly, we shall not drag on aspects that are not directly connected with our hero’s public life.

Currently, the show is in Marathi. Do you think it would have been better had it been in Hindi or with subtitles so that it reaches a wider audience?

The cultural feel is better in the mother tongue, though the show shall be on the network’s OTT platform Zee5, reaching out to audiences beyond the state.

What is your general take on historical shows and movies? Do you think they are portraying the characters as they should?

Firstly, one has to understand that shows and movies are not documentaries. The artistic presentation involves a lot of emotions and hence, liberties are taken.

Also, as far as Indian history is concerned, we are very poor at maintaining records or documentation. Hence, many times one has to portray a character or an event taking liberties. As much as these liberties are aligned with the philosophy the ‘hero’ stood for, I think, it should be acceptable.

At the same time, we have to understand that the maker has a particular vision. He has his thought process and his own set of philosophies. That is bound to peep through his work. Towering personalities like Tilak are multi-faceted. It is not uni-directional. A show or a movie is a kaleidoscope of the events that happened in a person’s life. Everyone may have a different view. As long as they can substantiate it with enough research, it should be acceptable.

We, as a society, cannot be very touchy or fragile so as to get our sentiments hurt every minute due to criticism. There can be arguments, discussions, and counters. Then only we can learn better from our history.

How is it different to write for a historical show compared to a regular one?

Today, circumstances are such that creating a regular show also requires a lot more care than earlier. With every line spoken or the costumes worn or any ritual shot, may lead to criticism or controversy. While creating a historical show, one has the research team keeping a tab on everything. But then even the audiences are also more “alert”.