Young creator Ishika Shahi is recognised for producing engaging digital shows, including Double Trouble and Actors Roundtable, for Director’s Kut Productions’ official YouTube channel. She has recently launched the new web series titled ‘Jabb Zodiacs Met’. The new series has popular actor Gaurav Khanna as the Sutradhar, and is conceptualised by Pearl Grey and produced by Rajan Shahi’s Director’s Kut Productions.

In an exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz.com, Ishika talks about the series, on carrying forward the creative legacy of her parents, and on her vision and goals.

Read here.

The episodes that are on air of Jabb We Met have received good feedback. How was the response?

The three episodes that came up over the weekend were very, very nice. I don’t know if you noticed, but they were all from different age-group stories. We didn’t really advertise it as such, but Aries is the infant sign. So we’ve kept it as a very nice, innocent girl; it’s a little younger, more for the kids’ type. Then we go to Leo, who’s a little bit older, and then Taurus. The first three episodes basically show three different age groups.

What kind of response have you been getting so far?

Right now, we are completely relying on our organic views; we haven’t really started our marketing yet. For movies, you market them heavily, and once the movie is out, people immediately buy tickets. You need that instant return. But with YouTube, the videos haven’t even come out yet. So if you market it now, people won’t have anything to click on. That’s why we’re waiting for the episodes to come out, and only then will we start advertising. It makes sense because people should have something to watch once they hear about it.

What has the industry’s reaction been so far?

They’re finding the concept very interesting because it’s something that hasn’t happened before. Usually, it’s not even about love stories at this point. It’s about how these zodiacs interact with each other when they get into situations or when they get their hearts broken.

You’ll see the Aries boy in the Sagittarius episode—which is my personal favourite—going mad. He becomes possessive, feels the need to protect her, and believes he has to save her. It’s about how different individual zodiacs react when they’re put into situations—fight or flight moments—or how they react at any point in a relationship and interact with another zodiac.

The concept feels very unique. How did it originate?

It’s my mother’s concept—Pearl Grey. Initially, I had seen formats where one guy meets different zodiacs. But she said, “Ishika, you have to explore all zodiacs.” That’s a very big commitment, especially for a first show—24 main leads, their individual families, and supporting casts. It’s huge.
But nobody wants to watch just another romantic story. They want something different—something that feels new.

After the first three episodes, what can viewers expect next?

Only in the first three episodes will you see a very clear distinction between age groups and the love stories that happen at different stages of life. In the other episodes, we explore different kinds of stories. Some are friendship stories. Some don’t even turn into love stories, but show how two zodiacs support each other.

There’s also a story about a woman who has been in a marriage for a long time, where the husband puts all his effort into work. This happens very often in marriages, especially arranged ones.

Certain zodiacs, like Aquarius or Sagittarius women, are extremely sacrificing in relationships. Some women just don’t leave. For example, a Scorpio woman creates her boundaries right from the start, while an Aquarius woman may choose to stay emotionally invested even if she doesn’t receive the same in return. All these stories are based on zodiac traits.

What are your personal goals as a creator?

My goal is simply to deliver content I feel strongly about—something I truly like. I want to bring something new to the table.

I can’t compete with my dad when it comes to hard work and the hours he puts in. My mom is extremely creative, and I think I’ve inherited something from both of them. Right now, my focus is to grow the YouTube channel and give the audience something new and exciting to watch.

Are you currently working on other projects?

Yes. We’ve already shot our second show, and we’re about to shoot the third.

Will all your projects be on YouTube?

Yes, because YouTube is accessible to everyone. If you limit yourself to one platform, you lose out on other audiences. Even TV serials are watched by all kinds of households, so why restrict content to only one segment? We want our content to be for everyone, and that’s why YouTube makes sense.

Do you plan to explore OTT platforms in the future?

Definitely. The Web excites me a lot, but right now I really want to explore YouTube to its fullest.

What kind of stories interest you moving forward?

This show leaned more towards Gen Z and modern relationships. My next show is for those who love TV serials, but with my own twist. I don’t want my characters to be perfect. I want them to be grey, flawed, and real.
It will have a quirky romantic comedy angle. Today, attention spans are short, especially for Gen Z. My episodes are fast-paced, with no space to get bored. In 20 minutes, everything must be delivered.

Have you considered vertical content formats?

I’ve received advice to explore it, but right now I’m more inclined towards longer formats. No matter what the medium—vertical or long-form—it should look like the best possible version of itself.

What advice would you give aspiring writers and creators?

Support is extremely important. Even if you have just one person who believes in you, it can change everything. And if nobody believes in you, that doesn’t mean you stop. You owe it to yourself to try.

Living with regret—thinking “I could have done this”—is the worst. It’s better to regret something you did than something you never tried.

Do you focus on introducing fresh talent?

Definitely. In Jabb Zodiacs Met, we had a mix of known faces and fresh talent. Sadly, today, people often run behind followers instead of talent. But my belief is simple—choose the actor who fits the character best.
In my writer’s team and casting choices, I always look for freshness and raw talent.

What about your next show?

I’ve taken two actors from Jabb Zodiacs Met because they fit the characters perfectly. It didn’t matter whether they had followers or fan bases. They were simply right for the roles.

When can audiences expect it?

Very soon. After Jabb Zodiacs Met, maybe a week later, we’ll begin the next show.