Meet Suhaib Ilyasi of ‘India’s Most Wanted’ Fame

Remember 'India's Most Wanted'? And the man behind it? He is Suhaib Ilyasi

His ‘India’s Most Wanted’  was a pioneering step in the reality television. Meet Suhaib Ilyasi, who became the most sought-after man more than 10 years ago for his path-breaking initiative in criminal programming. However, amidst this success, came a blow. His wife committed suicide in 2000 and he went into oblivion. He was held responsible for the death with accusations of cruelty and dowry levelled against him,  but Suhaib managed to sail through the hard times. Today, he is all set to stage a comeback with the reality show. But before that , there’s  a movie on the premise of misuse of section 498A (Dowry Act), under which he was himself booked 11 years back.

In an exclusive interview with Amit Roy, The Sip of Life moderator, 45-year-old Suhaib ilyasi,  shares his times of trial and tribulation, and the grit to move on.

Can we have a brief profile of yours, detailing from where you ventured into television?

I post-graduated in Mass Communication in 1991 from Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC), Jamia Millia Islamia University and it was in the same year I got an opportunity to work as a cameraman with TV Asia and later became a programme producer with the Asian satellite television channel based in North London. During my stint there I used to find Crime Stoppers on BBC very good and wanted to replicate the same in India and after much pursuation.

We all remember you are the one who made an impact in India’s most wanted ten years back. Tell us how it was the launching pad for you?

Ilyasi returned to India in 1996 with the concept of starting a crime-based reality TV show for Indian public broadcast. When he thought of a crime-related show on the small screen in the 1990s, no channel was ready to permit it on air. It was after much persuasion, Zee TV contracted me for some episodes and soon i was the most popular show on television.

How do you think India’s most wanted make an impact in apprehending criminals?

It helped capture 135 fugitives across the country! It was a nationwide movement and I am happy that the reality show helped in apprehending so many criminals who were on the run. It was the involvement of viewers which helped in making it a success.

How did things change for you in 2000 when your wife committed suicide and you were accused of harassment for dowry?

That was unfortunate that my wife committed suicide and it was a tough time for me, especially as it came when I had been taking criminals head on my TV show. I realised politicians and criminals are hand in glove with each other. There was mafia support to the politicians and media made it a big issue, especially when I was myself in a controversy when I had been pointing fingers at others. But challenges are a part of life and I am glad that the spirit has not died.

What is your ongoing project 498A-The Wedding Gift all about? Is it inspired from your own life?

The movie has nothing to do with my life. It is inspired by a suicide of my college friend who ended her life two and a half years back. Since I have also gone through the same pain I can understand it and cinema is a powerful media.

What is the star cast and when is the release scheduled?

The movie which is likely to be released in October, is about an NRI who loves India and what he goes through. Farida Jalal has for the first time played the lead role of a mad woman.

Can you share some of your plans after the movie? Will you come back on television?

India’s Most Wanted will be back again. I want to come back with the reality show and my discussions are on. “Together we can and we will make a difference…”

Today, Suhaib Ilyasi is the founder and Executive Chairperson of Aaliya Productions Pvt. Ltd, a television software production company named after his daughter Aaliya. He is also editing a news magazine on governance, Bureaucracy Today.