I travelled with Rajeev Gandhi all over the world to film the various dimensions of his personality and today, the film is an archival treasure. From my experience of communication and unfolding the personality of the subject on camera, was born the idea of the present show. I realised that putting on film the lives of achievers was a fascinating art. A successful person’s career and personal life are of perennial interest to viewers or readers. Which is why so many shows and magazines are based on celebrity lives. This is why Rendezvous was an excellent ‘communications’ show. It hit the target accurately. We took a break every 26 shows just like the major shows in the UK or the US. This gave us sufficient time to gather our thoughts and try new concepts in our new series. The show requires tremendous research and development and it has been possible only because my sister Amrita works with me."

Simi’s biggest victory was when she persuaded the elusive Rupert Murdoch to appear in her show. The most powerful media lord in the world, he never appears on television."Jayalalithaa was another guest who changed my life," she says, "Since I interviewed her. I have believed that every person is born complete. A woman does not need to have a man’s umbrella over her head or motherhood as a locket around her neck to become complete. I learnt this from Jayalalithaa. I have never felt incomplete after meeting her.

" I am often accused of encouraging my guests to bring out their deepest experiences and shed tears on the camera," Simi continues, "Believe me, I do not do this intentionally. May be my approach brings out their hurt in the open. Nina Pillai cried on my show. Zeenat Aman cried. So did Benazir Bhutto. These are all sensitive people who have suffered greatly in life. There hurt is bound to find expression somewhere. Kapil Dev also cried, as is well known, though not on my show. In my show his tenderness towards his child came out like a shining gem because he and Romi had become parents after such a lot of effort.

"Communications is a volatile industry. Techniques, yardsticks of success and methods of presentation change at a rapid pace. This is why every now and then, we travel to the West to take a Sabbatical. I learn new ideas from experts in the West to add to my work here in India. Still new shows have to be identified. Now, we are a one-hour show on Star World. But after 26 episodes, I will end the series and think of something new. The mantra of communications is something fresh all the time. But I will not produce or act in any routine soaps or serials. They are not my style. I believe in innovation and I will offer viewers something, truly magnificent!"

Simi Garewal, the ‘woman in white’, is supposed to have been influenced by Raj Kapoor, whom she admired greatly. Every vista in her home is either white or a shade of cream. The sofas, the walls, the floor, the terrace grill, the dining area — and even the dogs— synchronise in the rhapsody of whites and creams the artefacts are however, in contrasting colours. These have been collected from all over the world. The Thai statues, the crystal candle holders, silver ornaments, the lamps, the carpet and the cushions — all these only complement the serenity of the white ambience. "I have always believed that white and its associated colours create an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. I designed my own home and even the sets of my show with this concept of peace in mind. The sets of the show are almost a replica of my terrace," says Simi,

After living in England for years, Simi started her career in India as a film star. "I have acted in 65 films altogether," she says, "And my favourite is Mera Naam Joker. Another memorable film is Sidhartha . But around the 80s, I decided to quit films. Television was just happening in India and I created a show called Woman’s World for Doordarshan. This was sponsored by Reliance. But I found that neither Doordarshan nor Indian society were ready for such a show. So-called women activists protested it and the media killed it. Doordarshan, scared of the controversy, quickly closed it down.

But when satellite TV came to India in 1992, a whole new media revolution happened. By this time the people were ready for the general spirit of liberalisation, which was sweeping the world. They were seeing Western programmes on many channels and they could appreciate different points of view. Television and viewers were ready for a show like Rendezvous. I chose this concept after much thought. I am passionately interested in people and how they handle their relationships; how they are really behind their defences and public persona. I wanted to interview celebrities who could teach everyone something new each time they spoke. I always concentrate on relationships because the viewers do not know that aspect of a celebrity’s life. I make someone else join the show, and the other person — friend or relative — adds a new dimension to the show. I believe each person in this world is close to an average of six people. If my research can reach any of them, I have a good show."

Simi an inveterate reader and net surfer, goes through all the materials and then works out her questions. She then pursues school teachers and friends, relatives, acquaintances and associates who can add some depth to the interview. Most celebrities have books, magazine articles and websites devoted to them. There is plenty of material, which divulges the lesser known aspects of their lives.

Simi’s interviews are always spontaneous. There are no rehearsals. No questions are given to the interviewee Simi says, "I know the flow of questions exactly, the areas of the interviewee’s life which I wish to explore and I am confident that I can handle the show in my own way. I shoot a great deal and then edit the show to the required length. My own home has a state of the art editing studio, which is fully computerised. I love computers and use them for work and leisure. I was the sixth Indian to register for an Internet connection. I love new technology and spend hours serving and playing games on the computer because this is the heart of modern communications."