Mitu wears many hats with élan. She is a filmmaker, producer, storyteller and content creator and runs her YouTube Channel Positive Thinkerz. This year marks her 29 years in the industry. Calling it a delightful experience, she reminisces about her journey.
“These 29 years I have faced many ups and downs which came with a lot of learning, and made friends who have now become my family. There were people who backstabbed me and there were people I thought would never support but stood by me. In all, it’s been an enlightening journey and a fun ride. I cherish each and every moment of these 29 years,” she smiles. Mitu started her career with Rajat Sharma’s Aap Ki Adalat in 1933. While she was planning to shift to Mumbai, her father asked her to apply to Zee TV who are looking for trainees.
“I still remember it was the 20th of August. My friends and I were going to watch Khalnayak and I got a call to meet Rajat sir. He took my interview and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him that I want to make films. He asked me to go and meet Ritu Dhawan. I was really excited and agreed on everything she said, and got the job. Seema Sawhney was my first colleague. I used to really enjoy my work there,” she says. From the age of 13, Mitu wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry, but was discouraged by everyone. Then she made a deal with her parents to finish her graduation first and then pursue filmmaking.
“From the age of 13 to 21 I did exactly what I was told to do, and at 21 when graduation was over I said that I still wanted to make films. I did an Advertising and Public Relations Course because at that time there was no course for TV and, 7 years later I came to Mumbai,” she adds. Sharing her learning from the industry, Mitu says, “One very big learning from the industry that I have had is that no show ever waits for anyone. I have also learnt that you find friends at the most unlikely places and scenarios. And, people who believe in you will believe in you no matter what, people who don’t want to believe you won’t believe you whatever you do. End of the day, this is a business.”
Mitu also worked with Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms. “When I was in Balaji I was a hard taskmaster because that’s the way I was supposed to be. We had strict deadlines. We were making products which were on top but having said that we used to have a lot of fun. My closest friends even today are all the cast and crew of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. Be it our director, Partho Mitra, Deepak Qazir, our cameraman or the actors. Whatever respect and reputation I have built has been on the basis of the work I have done. I had launched many new talents during my stint there. We were like a family in Balaji. After Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii ended, I threw a huge party for all. Not only actors, but the head of production, Rakesh Roshan were also present. I gave them all with a yellow pencil, which was my coveted thing, as a parting gift. . The second incident that I really remember well is when Sweta Keswani and I had a bad fight on the set of the show. The same evening she called me and said let’s meet in Poptates (laughs softly). That’s the bond we still share,” she adds.
Among the celebrities Mitu bonded well over these years are Sakshi Tanwar , Deepak Qazir, Madhuri Bhatia, Pranitaa Pandit, Arshima, Gautam Chaturvedi, Sucheta Trivedi, Sweta Keswani, Manav Gohil, Bharat Chawda, Raj Singh Arora, Chetan Hansraj, Mita Vashisht, Rajeshwari Sachdeva, among many others. “I have worked with all of them. I have seen the professional growth of actors like Raj Singh Arora, Bharat Chawda, Jatin’s Dhah, Rituraj, Rajeshwari Sachdeva as well. They are all very nice people. I was lucky that I got to work with Meeta Vashisht and Neena (ji) Gupta, Kamlesh Pandey, Purnenedu Shekhar and the late Mohan Bhandari ji. I have learnt a lot from them.,” she says.
Talking about Positive Thinkerz, her YouTube channel, Mitu adds, “My ambition is the reason why I started this. A senior once said if you want to be a name in this industry you either become a producer or an actor. I always wanted to make my own content and started making short films and slowly this idea came about. In 2006 I put my money together to start a production house but the other producer backed out at the last moment. A friend lent me money. We made the pilot Samaan in 2006 which got passed in 2008. After that I made my second short Bawara Maan in 2011, followed by Bhaage Re Maan in 2014-15 which got featured on Netflix and Pehel Ek Nayi Subah in 2016. Later a pilot for Star Bharat was made in 2017 ”
Meanwhile, Mitu has also produced episodes for Nishabd for Atrangii. On her future plans, Mitu shares, “Right now I’m in the process of making more content for Atrangii. We’re pitching to other channels too. People are now calling us for pitches, which is a good thing. So it’s been a good upward journey through and through.”
