Producer and Writer Pearl Grey finds it a new learning experience to work with her daughter, Ishika Shahi, on her latest creation, the web series titled “Jabb Zodiacs Met,” which is presently streaming on YouTube. Jabb Zodiacs Met is a unique concept that deals with the relatable challenges each sun sign faces in search of love.
The 12-episode series features Anupamaa and Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna as the narrator, with popular actors playing varied lead roles.
We at IWMBuzz.com get to talk exclusively to Pearl Grey, who has conceptualised the series, created by Ishika Shahi, produced by Rajan Shahi’s Director’s Kut Productions, and directed by Rishi Mandial.
Read on.
What was the plan behind the concept related to zodiacs?
When Ishika wanted to make her debut with a YouTube series for her channel, that was the time we started to brainstorm and decide on the kind of content to make. The idea was to make a unique concept as her first series, which could interest people. She was very clear that she wanted to make something for the younger generation. After research, we got to know that astrology was one of the fields where people have a lot of interest. There is a lot of keenness for astrology. I had one concept that I had made long back, and I bounced it off to Ishika. She really loved it. Rajan and I saw the potential in it.
Usually, when we like someone, we ask the person about his/her zodiac sign. We tend to talk about the traits of zodiacs, and it is widely searched on net. This is how we decided to start with Jab Zodiacs Met as Ishika’s first series.
How did you plan to tag the traits of zodiacs into stories? Explain.
The most fascinating aspect is that there is always the most compatible sign and one non-compatible sign for any zodiac. So we planned to have 12 episodes, with 12 girls of different zodiacs, with their most compatible and non-compatible partners. That is where our research started. Ishika did her research by herself. She sat down and jotted down all the characteristics and compatibility for every zodiac. The next phase was to weave it into a story format, make a 1 episode story and take it forward.
So we have 12 girls with different zodiacs, and we have 12 boys playing 12 different zodiacs. We have woven them into the story. In one story, if a Libra guy is not compatible with an Aries girl, in another story, where the sun sign of the girl is different, you will see the Aries guy being compatible with her, and we show him as the hero here.
How well has your idea come into execution?
To be very honest, the entire vision of the show is of Ishika’s. She was leading the entire story, the kind of characters, what story she wanted with which character, etc. She incorporated a middle-aged couple, a housemaid, etc. She was hands-on on everything – costumes, look and feel, music, edits, direction, etc.
Teaming up with your daughter for this concept, Jabb Zodiacs Met. How has the journey been?
The journey has been wonderful. It was her first project in fiction. For me, it was a learning experience as it was a series for the younger generation. I was also learning from her ideas, vision and her freshness. Watching my daughter take the lead and make the calls and decisions was a lovely journey for me. She is a good listener and would listen to us very patiently. But ultimately, she put forward her ideas in the way she wanted them to be.
Ishika is blossoming in the creative lines of her parents. Tell us about her passion.
When I see her work, coming from no experience whatsoever to make a show, and see what she wants to do and how she gets it done, I see that there is a lot of passion in her. She is very passionate about what she’s making, and it is nice to see.
What thought went into casting actors for particular zodiacs?
Casting was completely her involvement. Ishika knew who she wanted to cast for the zodiacs. She knew that she wanted a person looking innocent and timid for Aries; she wanted a person with energy for Gemini, and so on. So it was totally her call. The casting team did their job based on her vision.
How do you visualise the growth of your daughter? What are her goals?
This question should be directed to Ishika only. She can talk about her goals clearly. I would say that goals are achieved when you start working, think of what you like and what you do not like. If you ask me, I know that she has a legacy to run, Rajan’s legacy. She has parents who are both creative and have done work over the years. She has seen our struggles and how hard we have worked, especially Rajan. She keeps saying that her father works day and night, does not sleep, etc. She feels she is less than him. I am the one who is the calming factor, and I tell her that this is just the beginning. If the work you do is your passion, then will come the time when you will not see the day or night at work. I feel writing her series is her passion. She will go a long way, and I can see her there. All the best to her!!
