BackWe’ve made films for the Delhi elections: Sameer Nair
Nair speaks on what attracted him to Aam Aadmi Party
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New Delhi: Sameer Nair, who joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) last fortnight, was responsible for turning around the fortunes of Star Plus, the entertainment channel of Rupert Murdoch, by introducing Amitabh Bachchan to the small screen as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of the game show Who Wants to be a Millionnaire. Later, he spearheaded Star’s entertainment business in India as its CEO and steered NDTV’s entertainment ventures in broadcasting. In an interview, the media entrepreneur speaks on what attracted him to AAP:
Why AAP?
Why not? There is nothing in their manifesto that you do not agree with, whether it is the Jan Lokpal Bill, their stand against corruption or the call for integrity in public life. They are completely pro business as they are against any form of corruption. Imagine how the absence of corruption could drive businesses and entrepreneurs in India. You can cut the queue.
When did you become a supporter?
I have been following them and their “andolan" when they first started. But I met a few AAP members four or five months back. I realised I did not want to be a fence sitter any more and wanted to help. I came down to Delhi with a small crew from Mumbai to shoot a few films for their campaign. It is then that Arvind Kejriwal (anti-corruption activist who founded AAP) asked me if I’d like to join the party.
What kind of films are these? How else have you helped them?
These films are personal messages of the key people of the party. They are short 30-second to 90-second films. Showing them on national television will be a complete waste of money. But you will see them elsewhere, especially on social media, soon. AAP is extremely smart in its social media strategy. It is very focused and its radio commercials are also internally designed. I only helped them in making their communication sharper.
The party is not in a position to hire major advertising or public relations agencies like the national parties. At least, not yet. As they grow big and look at the national stage, may be... Currently all hands are on the deck for the Delhi elections. I will be coming to Delhi more often now to see how these films can be distributed.
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