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‘This way, please’ speaks a pearly smile and we are like, ‘What? Right away? No wait-sheit at all’… We follow the smile through that plush, swanky office (Sphere Origins) done in lots of glass… The quickness of it all is a delicious surprise because for the last couple of days this appointment has been on a see-saw, which had thoroughly snubbed us into the understanding that we were seeking out a true busybee…

Hence, we had psyched ourselves for some l o n g wait before being in audience with him… But really, after entering the office, before we could say ‘Jack Robinson’ – we were entering that cabin in the corner…

Shuffling into a satchel, he looks up… The first thing we see is the goatee (a la Amitabh Bachchan, but not the grey variety at all)… And then inside of that mustache-goatee circle, there beams a beatific smile instantly the moment those keen eyes behind the specs with that black shell-frame size us up…

Pleasantries exchanged, Purnendu Shekhar is already coming across as a mellifluous, matey sort with whom a gabbing session would always be one certainty of a delight… here goes…)

As far as writing on Television goes, you are widely acknowledged as a trailblazer – how does it feel to be where you are, today?

Purnendu Shekhar: Feels good, obviously – particularly for the reason that it has been a harrowing struggle for me to reach where I’ve reached today. Though I couldn’t really become what I came here for…

Really? And what was it you aspired to be?

Purnendu S: Ban-ne toh Actor aaye the… and who doesn’t? The train to Mumbai is always taken for Acting only!

(there are ripples of laughter in the room…)

Correct! Achha, tell us, from Calf-love in ‘Astitav’ to Skin-bias in ‘Saat Phere’ to Social-evil in ‘Balika Vadhu’… which from your spectrum of work has been closest to your heart?

Purnendu S: It’s a tough one you’ve asked…

(he shuffles in his chair with eyes crinkling as he obviously rummages through the past…)

- Vierendra Bhargav