Mumbai: The Viral Fever (TVF), known for hit shows like “Panchayat”, “Gullak”, and “Kota Factory”, is expanding into films and exploring new genres like horror and thriller, according to Shreyansh Pandey, the company’s Originals Head. TVF started as a YouTube channel and has grown into a major player in the Indian streaming industry, producing relatable stories from across India. Shows like “Panchayat” depict rural life, while “Gullak” focuses on a middle-class family in a small town. Their first show, “Permanent Roommates”, premiered in 2014, and “Kota Factory” delves into the lives of students in Kota, Rajasthan, preparing for competitive exams.
Pandey shared in an interview with PTI, “We will continue making shows to entertain people. Our next exciting step is to make films. TVF content studio is working on a couple of films, and we’re doing a lot of preparation. We’re starting new projects.”
He added, “For our shows, we’ll explore more genres, but dramas will remain our core. The same applies to our films, which will feature both simple stories and grand spectacles. We’re working on sci-fi, horror, and thriller shows. We’re also planning the next season of ‘Gullak’, which is a beloved family story.”
Upcoming Seasons of Popular Shows
Pandey also hinted at more seasons of “Panchayat” and “Kota Factory”, along with the second part of the sports drama “Sixer”.
In 2023, TVF produced 15 shows and aims to create even more in 2024. “We hope to do more shows. We have 35 to 40 shows in various stages of development, from pre-production to production. How many we complete depends on many factors,” Pandey explained. As the creator of “Gullak”, Pandey said he’s nervous but proud about the anticipation for the fourth season, which premiered on SonyLIV on Friday. The series, initially planned as a YouTube show, was later picked up by SonyLIV.
The Challenge of Creating “Gullak 4”
“Gullak” stars Geetanjali Kulkarni, Jameel Khan, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, and Harsh Mayar, and follows the Mishra family’s life in a small town in Uttar Pradesh.
“When making a fourth season, there’s always the challenge of balancing new content with the beloved characters and world we’ve created,” said Pandey, who is also making his directorial debut with “Gullak 4”.
Writing is the toughest part, he added, noting that the team spent almost two years finalizing the script. “The only way to get it right is to repeatedly review and rewrite the script, and get feedback from our creative team at TVF.”
Reflecting on TVF’s Journey
Reflecting on TVF’s 14-year journey, Pandey described it as “very exciting, incredible, and eventful.” He expressed pride in creating at least 20 fan-favorite shows and gratitude to their audience for their continued support.
“The love from fans, the demand for new seasons, the memes, and the beloved characters all show that our stories are resonating with people. Celebrating the journey of a protagonist is crucial for a storyteller; you have to believe in your story,” he said.
Pandey recalled that some initially doubted whether viewers would pay to watch TVF’s content on YouTube. “Those constructive questions helped us expand our content pipeline. We’ve always believed in pushing boundaries and creating something new,” he concluded.
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