Edited excerpts from the interview with Rath.

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What compelled you to tell this particular story in season 2 of Laakhon Mein Ek?
We wanted to do a different story than season 1 for sure. Since we had covered engineering already, we wanted to move on to the second option given to students in our country — medical. But we didn't want to do a student story this time, but one about the first job. That's how this story idea was born.
The main theme remains the same; about ordinary people facing extraordinary choices. We have also tried to keep it as realistic in treatment as the first season. The story remains about a person in a system.

As a writer and someone familiar with IITs, was it challenging to transition to a different plot in season 2?
We spoke to a lot of people from the medical profession, from students to working professionals. We also had a researcher and a medical consultant helping us out, and we took their insights. But the most important thing was to create a compelling central character and create storylines around the research to make it personal.

Was Shweta Tripathi your first choice to play the lead?
She was definitely our first choice. She is a joy to work with. She gave us her 200 per cent in every shot. The director Abhishek Sengupta and she were very much in sync about her character
and that has brought out a great performance.

Biswa Kalyan Rath

What advice do you have for those setting out to write a compelling web series?
I am actually too junior to give any advice but I think emotional honesty is most important in any form of writing. So, they should write what they want to watch. Also, as some great writers have said, writing is rewriting. So don't be afraid to rewrite if required.

What do you hope viewers will take away from the show?
First of all, hopefully, they are entertained and secondly, I hope they are inspired by Dr Shreya Pathare.

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