From idea to screen: The story behind Qalbi

With its blend of emotion, intrigue and everyday human drama, Qalbi has become one of the Maltese series drawing viewers into its world. In this interview, producers Evelyn Saliba La Rosa and Michael Vella Haber reflect on the inspiration behind the series, the meaning of its title, the challenges of production and the creative decisions that helped shape the show into what audiences see on screen. From character development to filming across Malta, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the drama and the evolving landscape of Maltese television.

What inspired you to create Qalbi and how did the original idea come about?

The inspiration for the drama Qalbi came from characters and situations we encounter in everyday life. There was someone who told us that she couldn’t understand her life and her relationship with her mother, and why it was the way it was. We couldn’t answer her, because only her mother knew that reality. But we didn’t stop there. As authors, we began to imagine what the reasons might have been. And today, viewers are following where our minds and imagination have taken us.

What does the title Qalbi mean to you in the context of the series?

Qalbi was the beginning of everything, because beyond the emotional meaning it carries, it represents a fragrance that Sergio wanted to dedicate to his beloved Margaret. However, for us as authors, Qalbi has another meaning and viewers will of course experience and follow that aspect as well.

If you had to pitch Qalbi in 10 seconds to someone who’s never heard of it, what would you say?

Qalbi is a whirlwind of actions and emotions that range between love, betrayal, intrigue and events that make it truly worth following.

The series focuses on relationships. How did you develop this and what do you want viewers to take away from it?

At the forefront is the relationship between Margaret and her daughter Francesca; a relationship full of cruelty and hatred. Little by little, we begin to understand why, because in the end, there is always a reason. What we can say is that the reasons are far more complex than they first appear. On one hand, we see Margaret’s harshness towards her own daughter. On the other, we see Luca’s loyalty and devotion to his closest friend, a loyalty that lives on even though his friend has been dead for years.

As authors, what we want to convey to the audience is, that in life we encounter many characters who, in one way or another, can teach us something. If they don’t teach us through good actions, at least they show us what we should not do!

Producers Evelyn Saliba La Rosa and Michael Vella Haber

Were any real-life events, Maltese stories or cultural elements used as direct inspiration?

To some extent, every story, no matter how original is inspired by what we see, hear or go through in our lives. Qalbi is no exception.

What were you looking for in your lead actors and how did you find them?

We needed actors who were capable of understanding and conveying certain emotions that are sometimes not easy to portray, especially between a mother and her daughter. We also needed to find an actor who could reflect loyalty in circumstances where normally, it wouldn’t be expected. In a few words, Qalbi is full of emotions that are sometimes difficult to communicate and express at the level they are written. The selection wasn’t easy, but we can say that we succeeded in finding talented, professional and dedicated actors.

Where did you shoot the series and why did you choose those locations?

We can say that we’re filming all around Malta, wherever we’re given the opportunity. And we certainly wouldn’t mind having more opportunities.

What were the biggest production challenges and how did you overcome them?

If we start talking about production challenges, we’d never stop. Every single day brings a new challenge. You have to be ready and prepared for them, not just to face them, but to solve them on a daily basis.

Can you describe a particularly memorable or difficult day on set and how the team handled it?

There are many things that can go wrong… our days, as we said, are full of challenges. But with the help of everyone involved, in one way or another, we manage to overcome them and keep moving forward.

What is the atmosphere like on set — intense, chaotic, fun, emotional?

The atmosphere on set is disciplined and focused, with frequent but short bursts of emotion, jokes, and laughter.

What was the single best creative decision you made while producing Qalbi?

The biggest decision we made was that, no matter what, this story would reach the audience to be enjoyed; without cutting any corners.

If you could go back to the start of production and change one thing, what would it be?

If we had to start from the beginning, we think we would have written a character for ourselves, hoping we’d find the time to play the part!

What was the most exciting part of the process for you personally, writing, casting, filming, editing or launching?

The most interesting and exciting part for us is, of course, the writing, especially when we see the story develop and take us into situations that sometimes we hadn’t even planned.

How do you deal with the fact that Malta is small and “everyone knows everyone”, especially when casting or dealing with sensitive storylines?

There are certain characters which, apart from being difficult to portray, require actors to project themselves into what the writers have created. Unfortunately, at times, because of our small size, this can create challenges for actors, as some people become so absorbed in the story that they struggle to distinguish between reality and the character.

Do you think Maltese TV is evolving or are we still stuck in certain formulas?

Maltese television is evolving every day. Personally, we’ve seen significant changes since we started in this industry. Of course, development and change can only happen at a pace and within the circumstances around us.

How do you strike a balance between making something artistic and making something commercially viable in a small market?

The challenge of finding this balance is an ongoing one for us as authors. If only we had the freedom to let our minds and ideas run wild without financial constraints!

Watch Qalbi every Monday at 21:00 on Tokis channel 100.

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