Controversial stuff. No wonder, then, that after just eight episodes, Singh claims that an association called Sanskar Bharti tried to oppose the serial as it felt he was promoting corrupt cultural values. The serial speaks about many subjects which are a part of our society but are considered a taboo. It's a powerful portrayal of people's joys, sorrows, anxieties, passions, hypocrisies and their dreams. Rajesh Singh who hails from Baliya, U.P. and has done his Masters in management from Benaras University, speaks to Murli Sharma about his first TV venture:
According to you, what makes Naya Zamana different from the others?
In all aspects, it's different. Performances, takes, scripts, storyline -- everything is unique. Most importantly Naya Zamana, does not rely on a cliched story, ideas or dialogues. It's very realistic, not mere imagination. It's the reality of present times and so people feel its bold and it creates an impact. According to me a serial should stir someone and make one ponder.

There are a lot of bold issues in your serial (like talking about sex, kissing in a class room, etc.,): do you think it will be accepted by the Indian viewers?
I don't think it's bold at all. That's how it is in real life. One of the characters in my serial says `I am not ashamed of my sexuality, I enjoy it' which is common in real life. People say these things. When a man loses his job he says `I have been thrown away like a used condom.' It happens. I never knew we were so conservative. Other serials have soap formats and positive/negative characters but my characters are here to say something, to speak about the problems and predicaments of a certain society and individual.

But, maybe, the serial is ahead of its time?
Am I? I never felt so while writing it or making it. It's all so normal -- how can it be considered bold or ahead of its time? These are real conflicts, and situations.

Why did you think of such a subject?
You watch the current serials, they fail to move you or they don't make you sit and think. The real thing is not coming out even in the talk shows. A person who's sensitive and has a strong point, his views are never expressed. So I created characters who represent different views of different people in society.

What do you want to say through Naya Zamana?
I just want to initiate a discussion on some issues and explore their dimensions. Most of them have political, cultural dimensions which haven't been explored.

The female protagonists in your series are portrayed in quite a different manner. Why?
Different in what way? I don't think so. Haven't you come across girls like Kiran (played by Ashwini Kalsikar)? My characters are all very beautiful characters and honest. The only problem is that whenever such characters have been projected, they have been turned into vamps. Kiran tells a guy `If I kiss you, it doesn't mean I love yo or if a sleep with you it doesn't mean I'll marry you'. These things exist in this generation.

Does the serial focus on women liberation?
It actually doesn't talk about it but it definitely touches upon it.

Are you trying to tackle issues or spread some message?
I'm trying to correct perceptions. My basic issue is morality versus the market. I'm talking about ideas and issues which have never been expressed.

Being a writer why did you decide to direct this serial as well as write it?
I always wanted to direct but obviously nobody would allowed me to as I had not assisted anyone. I was to direct Shanti which I wrote but it didn't happen and that led me to write a script and here I am.

Do you think Naya Zamana will top the viewership and TRP charts?
I think it should. It shakes you, it disturbs you and leaves you thinking. Every line, every scene has meaning. Watching this isn't a waste of time. One has to listen carefully to the dialogues.

Well, we honestly wish it does well. However, since this is your first venture, have you thought about what will happen it doesn't do well?
What difference does it make? I'm not banking on it in terms of financial security and I'm not into money-making as my needs are limited. I've done my job. I did what I wanted to. I've expressed myself.