In a short span of a few years, Asit Modi has carved a niche for himself as an independent producer of successful sitcoms. He still operates as a 'one-man' army along with his small team of dedicated technicians and artistes. Very few people know that Modi started his career as a stage artiste. He moved on to the technical and production side before donning the mantle of a TV producer in the 1990s. He has handled different subjects with aplomb but has been typecast as a comedy serial maker.

Modi's first approved comedy serial on Doordarshan Ahmedabad was Miyaa Phuski in the 1990s. Modi, who started off as an independent C&S TV producer with Hum Sab Ek Hain on Sony, went on to produce Yeh Duniya Hai Rangeen for the same channel. Hum Sab Ek Hain was in the 9 pm slot on Sony Entertainment Television (SET) when it started off but was later slotted in the 7-8 pm slot. The other shows included Yeh Duniya Hai Rangeen and Meri Biwi Wonderful on SET. The sitcom Meri Biwi Wonderful, which continues to air on SET carries a novelty factor in that it combines comedy with elements of abracadabra and the supernatural.

Modi spoke to indiantelevision.com's Ashwin Kotian about comedy on Indian television. Excerpts:

So, how difficult is it to make comedy?
Very few people in the TV industry understand comedy. In fact, I would say that it's a God's gift. Fewer people can explore the potential of comedy. Some of the greatest performers and content producers - Raj Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Charlie Chaplin - have earned a reputation for being adept in comedy.

Making people cry is easy but making them laugh is very difficult. The medium of television is such that the same joke has to induce smiles on the face of a coolie in a metro, a multi millionaire's wife and a villager. Today, several people in the industry are trying to thrust their individualistic interpretation of comedy down the gullet of the audiences.

There is a perception that Indian audiences prefer soaps to comedies. What do you have to say?
TV is a light-hearted medium and provides relief. People want comedy because they are tired of the same old soaps and horror shows. Agreed that in India, soaps will always rule because people love social themes and issues. But, along with soaps, people seek a balance - lighter topics, fun and frolic. The savvy Indian audience is ready to accept any form of comedy.

But the 'comedy' tastes of the Indian audience differ across demographics and psychographics - different education levels, cultural differences; mindsets of people in the metros is different than those in the interiors; so on and so forth. Identification of the varied tastes itself is a very challenging task.

Tell us the secret formula?
The key is to get a fix on a universal formula - or what I call the Hindustani breed of comedy - a formula that will work in Mumbai, in Bhopal, in Kolkata and in Madurai. However, this is easier said than done. It is like offering a Hindustani thali to an audience that demands a la carte menu.

Also, I don't believe that comedy can be slotted into black comedy or satire or mime so on and so forth. Comedy must bring smiles to faces and make them guffaw. Have you seen any person laughing away to glory for even five minutes except for those who are members of some laughing club?

But, at the same time, comedy has to be meaningful. It has to convey a message - as they say the harshest truths are revealed through the funniest of ways.

Tell us about how channel programming teams treat comedy producers?
The programming teams of channels must try to go beyond their assumptions of what will work. Yes, there are progressive minded people amongst the broadcasters who give a free hand - but this licence should be used more liberally.

Very often, a person who has been born and bred in a city setting might not understand what makes the rural folk chuckle. Life in the metros is ruled by pressure, insecurity and strife that people living here have lost their ability to smile or laugh. Even metro-born and bred writers find it difficult to churn quality comedy scripts. Also, comedy shows must be given better slots and some of them should be positioned during the prime time. Why shouldn't people laugh before going to bed? It's a healthy habit. Also, who has spread the myth that comedies won't work in the Sunday morning slot?

The limited budgets are a hindrance because it is difficult to get quality writers for a pittance. It's a vicious cycle.