Sujata Sanghamitra.
Some careers are built around a single profession. Sujata Sanghamitra's has been built around an entire understanding of television.
From a History student & postgraduate, an MBA and media professional in Delhi to an actor in some of television's most remembered family shows, and eventually one of the creative forces behind the biggest show of the country - Kaun Banega Crorepati, Sujata's journey has spanned more than two decades of Indian entertainment. Now, after 26 years with KBC, she is turning the page once again with the launch of her home banner - SCUBE Studios.
Sanghamitra began her career in Delhi, working with TV18, before moving to Mumbai. An audition for Ekta Kapoor's show: Itihas changed the course of her life, leading to acting opportunities in shows including Hum Paanch, Kanyadaan, Ghar Ek Mandir etc. But the creative world behind the camera eventually called her back.
In 2000, she joined KBC as an Executive Producer. Over the years, she rose through the creative ranks, becoming Creative Director and, for the past seven to eight years, the show's Showrunner. This year, she has taken another significant step by producing the iconic show.
"It is an emotion," she says.
For 26 years, she has watched people walk into the KBC studio carrying dreams-of education, a home, a better future for their children, or simply a chance to change their circumstances. She believes the show's greatest strength is its simple philosophy: knowledge is the equalizer. On the KBC stage, background, wealth, caste or status take a back seat; what matters is what you know and the courage with which you play.
And at the centre of that experience has been Amitabh Bachchan.
Sanghamitra has known Bachchan since 2000 and has witnessed their professional relationship evolve over 26 years. What continues to impress her is that despite the scale of his stature, his approach to KBC has remained remarkably grounded.
She recalls that even today, Bachchan prepares for the show with the same seriousness he brought to its very first season. He knows the contestants, remembers details and makes an extraordinary effort to put people at ease.
For Sanghamitra, some of her most cherished memories are personal ones. She recalls receiving a phone call from Bachchan exactly at midnight on her birthday, along with flowers and handwritten letters on different occasions. She also remembers the generosity he has shown towards members of the KBC family over the years.
Her journey across acting, fiction, non-fiction, creative direction and showrunning has now culminated in her production house - SCUBE Studios, co-founded with Sarmistha Roy and Sandy kaul.
The new production house is more than a business milestone. It represents the next evolution of a career that has spent 26 years understanding what makes audiences care, connect and come back.
