From 1988 to 1990, ‘Doordarshan National’ aired a popular television show, a sitcom titled Wagle ki duniya about the issues of a middle-class Indian. This show, which starred veteran actors Anjan Srivastav and Bharati Achrekar, impressed the Indian audience, as the entire plot acknowledged the trials and tribulations of Indian middle-class life, with a storyline laced with relatable humour and wit. In one of the episodes of this show, Shahrukh Khan, then an upcoming actor, had acted in a cameo role.
Last year, RK Laxman’s daughter-in-law, Usha Laxman was contacted by JD Majethia (popularly known as JD in the entertainment industry), a well-known producer in the Indian television industry, to re-ignite the nostalgia and reboot Wagle ki duniya in a new ‘avatar’, but under the same name, for a present-day audience. It proved to be a wise business decision by JD, as today, the newly launched Wagle ki duniya on SAB TV has enjoyed immense popularity across the globe amongst Indian audiences since its launch in February 2021. And, both actors, Anjan Srivastav and Bharati Achrekar, portray important characters in this relaunched show too.
The new sitcom Wagle ki duniya has added to the long list of hit television shows produced by JD under the banner of his production company ‘Hats Off Productions’. Originally, it was the name of JD’s theatre group, which ventured into the production of Gujarati commercial plays in 1994.
“I always wanted to become an actor,” says JD. “And, creativity had remained my passion during the formative years of my career. After completing an MBA from Mumbai University, I had joined the client servicing department of a leading advertising agency in Mumbai. Simultaneously, I started acting in a commercial play, Suryavanshi in 1989. It was my debut in the world of the performing arts,” JD adds.
In 1992, JD bagged his first modelling contract in India to promote Optonica television – a famous Japanese brand then owned by the Sharp Corporation. In the same year, JD also participated in a talent contest organised by Stardust Acting Academy – an acting school launched by publisher Nari Hira.
‘I had a dream’
“Somehow, I couldn’t successfully contest the Stardust talent hunt,” reminisces JD. “It deeply saddened my heart. I quit the lucrative advertising job in 1993 to become a full-time actor and, thereafter, wrote an emotional five-page-long letter addressed to me! I had a dream, was passionate about acting and had an urge to strive for excellence in the field of performing arts. Eventually, a blueprint of ‘Hats Off productions’ was laid”.
‘Hats Off productions’ started producing Gujarati commercial plays in 1994. Some of the prominent plays produced by ‘Hats Off’ include: Thank you Kokila, Ladakvaya, Ek bijane gamta rahiye, Avjo vhala fari malishu, etc. The Hindi film Waqt: The Race Against Time, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Shefali Chhaya, produced in 2005 by Bollywood director Vipul Shah was inspired by JD’s Gujarati play Avjo Vhala Fari Malishu.
JD’s life went through ups and downs, as he struggled to get a firm foothold in the glamorous world of Bollywood. Fortunately, he was given an opportunity to exhibit his acting ability in a ‘Star Trek’ contest, organised by Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, an entertainment, film production & event management company, in 1995.
“I started dabbling in stock market investments and also saved a substantial corpus from the revenues generated through shows of Gujarati commercial plays produced by me,” says JD. “I then received financial support from veteran actor Paresh Rawal to fulfil my dream and eventually my friend and business partner-writer Aatish Kapadia and I co-produced a Hindi sitcom, Khichdi in 2002 for Star Plus television channel, in association with UTV Software Communications Limited, owned by Ronnie Screwvala.”
He also co-produced 220 episodes of the daily soap, Babul ki duayen leti ja, in association with producer Shobhna Desai for Zee TV. Thereafter, ‘Hats Off Productions’ came up with many hit television shows, such as: Sarabhai vs Sarabhai; Baa bahu aur baby; Mahisagar; Jasuben Jayantilaal Joshi ki joint family; Ek packet umeed; Sukh by chance; Byaah hamari bahoo ka; Bhakharwadi, etc.
JD, who attempted to float an OTT platform in 2017 and had strategised the productions of six Gujarati films in 2011, has massive expansion plans to position ‘Hats Off Productions’ as Asia’s leading entertainment content producer. “At an appropriate time, I will certainly list our company on the bourses,” he affirms. The career growth of JD reminds us that, through determination, grit, and a little bit of luck, anyone can overcome their circumstances and achieve extraordinary success.