Surabhi has recently completed 250 episode. Siddharth Kak, whose Cinema Vision produces the DD1 programme, still shows as much interest in the show as he did when it began in 1991.``In every episode we present at least one item which will make viewers sit up'', he says proudly. Excerpts from an interview:

How have you managed to sustain Surabhi for so long?

It's strange isn't it the general impression is that only frothy, light programmes will run. But the sort of response we get from across the country has got us into the Limca Book of Records for the number of letters we get. The record high is 14.5 lakh letters in one week -- we had to erect a shamiana to house the letters! I think it's because we are so interested in making it interesting. We always heed to what our audiences suggest, like why do I always say namaste before Renuka. Viewers have also started sending us items which they've shot themselves and we included it in Viewer's Gallery...Surabhi first started as a commissioned programme but now it's become a sponsored programme and the fact that sponsors have been willing to back it for so long speaks for itself. How long will Surabhi be on the air?

We've got an extension for another two years. So that's till 1999, if we are able to maintain this kind of viewership, this kind of audience interest.How much of your time doesSurabhi take up in a week?

It takes all my time. I write the anchor script, I do the anchoring with Renuka, I supervise every story that goes in. An anchor for such a show is like the conductor of an orchestra. If one does not personally supervise it, it'll become discordant. That's why we're doing just three or four programmes rather than expanding into an entertainment corporation.

What is the USP ofSurabhi?

(Laughs) The programme itself. The sort of inputs that go into it. Now we're introducing a once-a-month section on science to be hosted by Jayant Narlikar. For a long time I felt the need to have a science section to give exposure to the discoveries and advances being made in the field. And of course, I mustn't forget Renuka Shahane's smile!

That smile came in for a lot of flak at one time. Critic Amita Malik, for whom I have great admiration, criticised the smile saying the programme was not an advertisement for toothpaste. It was very difficult to get Renuka to relax and be natural after that. I had to persuade her that her smile was natural, it brought her face alive and her attempt to speak with her mouth pursed didn't work. Slowly she relaxed and even Malik had to admit that the smile was an asset!!

What is the secret of your interest in Surabhi? I'm not here primarily for commerce. Of course, one must make money. But when I gave up a lucrative job 20 years ago I wanted to do things which satisfied me and I'm doing that now. We were the first programme to include viewers by asking them questions and giving gifts. When we started we didn't realise what sort of response this would excite. Now we all know.

How does one keep producing a good show for so long? By consistent efforts of the team to keep the magazine up-to-date. There has been no competition toSurabhi perhaps because it requires a great deal of hard work to sustain.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.