Director's Kut Productions Explained

Director's Kut Productions
Foundation:	2007
Founder:	Rajan Shahi
Location Country:	Mumbai, India
Key People:	Rajan Shahi
Industry:	Entertainment
Products:	Television series Web series
Homepage:	directorskutproduction.com

Director's Kut Productions is an Indian television production company based in Mumbai, which is owned by Rajan Shahi.^[1] Established in 2007, it produces television shows and web-series for various channels. Some of its notable works include: Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, Aai Kuthe Kay Karte and Anupamaa.^[2]

History

Rajan Shahi did his schooling from St Columbus, and got graduated from Hindu College, Delhi, and came to Mumbai.^[3]

In 1993, Shahi started his career as an assistant director.^[4] In 1999, Shahi made his directorial debut with the series Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi.^[5] He then went on to direct series like Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Hamare Tumhare, Rishtey, Kareena Kareena, Reth, Mamtaa, Millee, Virasaat and Saathi Re. Thereafter he worked as a series director for , Ghar Ki Laxmi Betiyaan and Maayaka.^[6]

Eventually, he became a television producer and started his own production company in 2007. His first series as producer was Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai on Star Plus, followed by Shital Tai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Chand Chupa Badal Mein and Tere Sheher Mein on Star Plus.^{[7] [8]}

In 2019, they started producing Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke which is a spin-off of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai on the latter show's success. In 2019, the production house entered in Marathi GEC space and produce Marathi serial Aai Kuthe Kay Karte! for Star Network's Marathi channel Star Pravah. The Serial was later remade in Hindi as Anupamaa on Star Plus which premiered on 13 July 2020.

They also made a short film named Yolk for International film festival.^[9] They have a YouTube channel named First Kut Productions.

Current productions

Television series

Series	Channel	Premiere Date
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai		12 January 2009
Aai Kuthe Kay Karte!	Star Pravah	23 December 2019
Anupamaa	Star Plus	13 July 2020

Former productions

Series	Channel	Airing Period
Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai^[10]	Star Plus	8 October 2007 – 13 November 2010
Maat Pitaah Ke Charnon Mein Swarg	Colors TV	29 June 2009 – 4 June 2010
Chand Chupa Badal Mein	Star Plus	28 June 2010 – 17 June 2011
Havan	Colors TV	26 September 2011 – 30 March 2012
Kuch Toh Log Kahenge	Sony TV	3 October 2011 – 28 March 2013
Amrit Manthan^[11]		26 February 2012 – 2 August 2013
Jamuna Paar^[12]	Imagine TV	27 February 2012 – 12 April 2012
Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya		6 January 2014 – 2 December 2014
Itti Si Khushi^[13]		29 September 2014 – 2 January 2015
Tere Sheher Mein^[14]		2 March 2015 – 14 November 2015
Baavle Utaavle^[15]	SAB TV	18 February 2019 – 26 August 2019
Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke		18 March 2019 – 17 October 2020
Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 2	Star Bharat	15 March 2021 – 25 August 2021
Woh Toh Hai Albelaa		14 March 2022 – 14 June 2023
Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si		21 August 2023 – 11 March 2024

Web series

Controversies

• When Karan Mehra and Hina Khan quit Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai in June 2016 and November 2016 respectively then producer Rajan Shahi exclaimed that, "With due respect to both the actors, it is a fact that after Naitik (Karan's character) left, we could consolidate our position much stronger and the TRPs actually increased. Likewise, after Hina's exit, the show has grown."^{[16] [17]} This badly hurt Hina and Karan and the production house landed into a controversy. In response to the interview, a hurt Hina Khan, "I don't want to get into this blame game. Well, he can say whatever he wishes to." She further added, "why was he quiet when we were part of the show for eight long years? During that time, he went on record to praise both of us for our dedication and professionalism. And honestly, we were probably the only lead pair on television who continued to be with the show for eight consecutive years. Despite the work pressure, disagreements and other work opportunities, we continued to stay loyal to the show and supported the producer."^{[18] [19]} While Karan said, "Everyone on the set and the channel knows my work and attendance records. If he is saying that I worked for two-three hours, he is referring to someone else because my attendance register is the proof. Also, I gave my notice period in advance. I don't know who he has a grudge against and why is he saying it now? I was thanked by the channel and Rajan sir when I quit, so I don't understand how this has emerged now. Honestly, I am happy in my space and looking forward to new beginnings. I am not in touch with him anymore and I can't keep commenting on other people's grievances. All I can say is, 'To each his own'."^[20]
• The production company and producer Rajan Shahi again faced a controversy in July 2022 with actor Paras Kalnawat who portrayed "Samar Shah" in Anupamaa when the latter decided to participate in rival channel's dance-based reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 and he terminated Kalnawat's contract quoting "We as a production house won't entertain breach of contract. We have terminated his services as an actor with immediate effect. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors".^[21] While Paras said, "Everything is great with Anupamaa but I did not see my character evolving. I have huge respect for Rajan sir and the team and wish them all the best. At this stage of my career, I wanted to take up a new challenge. Also, I must add that I did inform the production about my decision, however, due to the channel and contract clauses, it wouldn't have been possible for me to continue with Anupamaa after signing Jhalak". He further said, "My character never evolved since past one year and after Anagha's exit I was just reduced to a family member standing in background with nothing to do" and he signed off calling whatever happened was a "nightmare" and "sigh of relief" as makers asked him to choose between the two revealing many dark secrets of the production house^[22] including his return to show within five days of his father's demise as leads were tested COVID-19 positive.^{[23] [24] [25] [26]}

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: International and home-grown formats can co-exist . UTV Television is now facing a stiff competition from a bunch of young entrants like Balaji, Director's Kut and .. . The Financial Express . 8 June 2011 . 15 July 2013 .
2. Web site: Superstars of the small screen. The Financial Express.
3. Web site: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is a show that's truly blessed, says producer Rajan Shahi. The Times Of India.
4. Web site: Directors-kut-productions-Rajan-Shahi-on-exploring-new-genres-spin-offs-and-challenges-of-running-daily-shows. Indian Television.
5. Web site: Producer Rajan Shahi: I worked among the crowd who stood behind models in ads when I first came to Mumbai. The Times Of India.
6. News: The making of Star India. Vanita Kohli-Khandekar. 25 July 2019. 9789353055981.
7. Web site: Amrita Mulchandani . Rajan Shahi re-invents himself! . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203053855/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-07/tv/30369273_1_alok-nath-kinshuk-mahajan-angad-hasija . dead . 3 December 2013 . 7 November 2011 . . 15 July 2013 .
8. Web site: Producer Rajan Shital on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai's success: 'It's a challenge to keep the freshness alive'. Times Now news.
9. Web site: Director's Kut Productions' First 'short film' for International Film Festivals. Telly Chakkar.
10. Web site: Everyone cried on the last day of Bidaai. Rediff.
11. Web site: Seven-year leap for 'Amrit Manthan'. DNA India.
12. Web site: Amrita Mulchandani . Alisha is pampered the most! . https://archive.today/20130717075930/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-16/tv/31349240_1_reality-show-entertainment-industry-jassi . dead . 17 July 2013 . 16 April 2012 . . 15 July 2013.
13. Web site: Sony launches new fiction series 'Itti si Khushi'. Best Media Info.
14. Web site: Hiba Nawab and Dhruv Bhandari play Tom & Jerry on TV!. Times Of India.
15. Web site: Comedy show 'Baavle Utaavle' to end next month . TOI. Neha. Meheswari. en. 2019-07-14.
16. Web site: 2017-01-11 . Akshara-Naitik's exit has made Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai better, says producer Rajan Shahi . 2022-08-14 . The Indian Express . en.
17. Web site: 2017-01-19 . Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai? It's Hina Khan - Karan Mehra vs Producer Rajan Shahi! . 2022-08-14 . PINKVILLA . en . 18 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218105954/https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news-gossip/370952/yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hai-its-hina-khan-karan-mehra-vs-producer-rajan-shahi . dead .
18. Web site: 2017-01-19 . Hina Khan hurt by Rajan Shahi comment: I was in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai for 8 years, why was he quiet then? . 2022-08-14 . The Indian Express . en.
19. Web site: 2017-05-09 . EXCLUSIVE- Hina Khan on tiff with mentor Rajan Shahi: Life is too short to react on such things . 2022-08-14 . PINKVILLA . en . 18 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218105954/https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/serial-updates/378246/exclusive-hina-khan-tiff-mentor-rajan-shahi-life-too-short-react-such . dead .
20. Web site: Karan Mehra on Yeh Rishta...'s 3000 episodes: Rajan Shahi sir and I congratulated each other, no hard feelings for anyone - Times of India . 2022-08-14 . The Times of India . en.
21. Web site: 2022-07-26. Anupamaa makers terminate Paras Kalnawat's contract after he signs up Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10, actor responds. 2022-07-26. The Indian Express. en.
22. Web site: Exclusive Interview! "Dark & Shady Things Happened With Me", Paras Kalnawat bares it all. 2022-08-15. The Times of India. en.
23. Web site: "My character was just reduced to being a family member in background with nothing to do anything and it never evolved" says Paras Kalnawat clearing the rumours about being kicked off from Anupamaa and reveals he himself quitted the series. 2022-07-26. Times of India. en.
24. Web site: Anupamaa makers said I can't do Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 because it's on rival channel . 2022-07-27 . Pinkvilla . en.
25. Web site: Paras Kalnawat calls Anupamaa a "nightmare" and termination a "sigh of relief" as posts a sign-off note. 2022-07-27. News18. en.
26. Web site: "It's a heartbreaking situation for me as nobody talked to me about this", Paras Kalnawat on his contract being terminated. 2022-07-28. Times of India. en.