INTERVIEW: 1000 Babies director Najeem Koya reveals what led to casting Neena Gupta as lead over a Malayalam actress

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As a lifestyle expert with an insatiable appetite for compelling narratives and a deep respect for the craft of storytelling, I find myself captivated by the upcoming web series 1000 Babies directed by Najeem Koya. His unique approach to adapting such a heavy topic as mass infanticide is commendable, and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of Indian television is noteworthy.

1000 Babies, a web series, will make its debut on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar on October 18, 2024. This engaging production is helmed by Malayalam writer-director Najeem Koya and features Rahman and Neena Gupta in lead roles.

As a die-hard devotee breathlessly discussing my one-on-one conversation with the visionary behind the scenes at TopMob, I’ll share some fascinating insights about how this brilliant mind brought the captivating concept of their show to life and the meticulous journey that led to its creation. Not only did they manage to draw in a powerhouse talent like Neena Gupta for the role, but they also painstakingly guided every aspect of the series’ production to ensure it resonated with fans like me.

A. Following the release of the movie Kaly, your second directorial endeavor has been the web series 1000 Babies. What are your thoughts on scripting for an extended narrative series and transforming a theme like widespread infanticide into a concept for a show?

For quite a while now, I’ve had an ambition to create a web series. It’s been noticeable since the pandemic era how various shows from around the globe have emerged on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar. Yet, I’ve noticed that Indian productions haven’t quite matched the quality of their international counterparts, which has sparked my desire to contribute in this area.

When creating shows like Pataal Lok and Mirzapur, we often find ourselves confined to that particular genre. However, I firmly believe that a series should resonate beyond our immediate surroundings. Originally, I had intended to transform this story into a film, but the scope of the narrative is so expansive that it simply wouldn’t fit within a 2-hour timeframe.

On an Over-the-Top (OTT) platform, one can delve into it extensively with greater autonomy. Upon presenting this tale to Hotstar, they instantly expressed interest in funding the project, asserting that it would be a significant venture from Malayalam cinema. I have no doubt that anyone who watches it will eagerly discuss it.

A. Why did you, as a writer-director, decide to ask Rahman and Neena Gupta, who have both played diverse roles in their careers, to take on the lead roles in your film titled “1000 Babies”?

In addition to questioning me, Neena Ma’am essentially asked, “Why choose me?” Given that my hometown boasts numerous talented actors capable of portraying a wide array of characters, I opted for Neena Ma’am because I sought someone recognized as a distinguished Indian figure.

Instead of choosing a lead actress to appeal to a broader audience, selecting an actress from Malayalam cinema would make viewers more familiar with her past roles. The introduction of Neena Gupta into the series and her portrayal as my character left audiences astounded.

My audiences would also be blown away by the way Neena ma’am acts because it’s unique to the Malayalee audience. On the other hand, I initially had no idea about who to cast as the male protagonist.

Previously, I requested my assistant directors to compile a list of potential actors for our lead role, which I wished to review daily. However, unexpectedly, Rahman’s name was missing from the suggested list. Despite being dissatisfied with other candidates, someone proposed that Rahman might be the ideal choice.

At first, when I shared the idea of Rahman playing a cop again, he seemed hesitant due to his past experiences. However, I persuaded him to listen to my full explanation. Upon hearing the story, Rahman showed great enthusiasm and agreed to the role.

Check out the trailer for 1000 Babies:

Based on the appearance of the 1000 Babies series, it seems like we’re dealing with an intriguing and suspenseful Malayalam mystery-thriller. Could there possibly be more seasons to come in the future?

In my opinion, there’s no other content out there that could be expanded as extensively as this series. Initially, I titled the series “1000+ Babies,” but due to its cumbersome pronunciation, we decided to drop the “plus.” This should give you an idea of the vast scope this narrative encompasses.

In the initial season of this show, I’ve delved into just seven cases related to the theme. It’s intriguing to consider how much deeper it can be explored. Interestingly, Amazon Prime reached out to me about a potential second season, but Disney+ Hotstar has already secured rights for all seasons that might be produced in this series.

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2024-10-18 12:09