SPECIAL FEATURE – Jyothi Venkatesh
TV actors are as good as film actors, respect them equally, urge telly stars
Hina Khan’s Cannes visit was subject of a derogatory remark recently. TV actors share their views on how they are often discriminated in the industry.
Rajesh Kumar
I don’t think there is discrimination. The medium has evolved. Five years back, it was there. I recently did SOTY2. Even Tiger Shroff addressed me as sir. Television actors are accepted everywhere. I have worked on television and films both. As far as social media is concerned, people should use social media responsibly. On social media, comments keep happening. 30 crore people using mobiles so everyone has an opinion on everything. To which to pay attention to and which to ignore is our prerogative.
Samir Soni
As far as the general perception of television is concerned, the television industry is considered stepchild/sibling of the film industry, where the film industry is still the core standard the parameter by which actors writers are judged. The television industry is booming with film actors turning to television and becoming successful. Amitabh Bachchan resurrected his career with television. There is still a bias in general opinion as everyone starts to become a film actor. The fact is a lot of TV actors are popular than film actors and I personally would do rather do good television work than films.
Jasmin Bhasin
There is a discrimination in the entertainment industry which exists when it comes to television. when I want to wear a certain designer or a certain makeup artist or hair stylist, they would deny straight to my face because you know people don’t want to do it for television actors. They would say I would only do for film actors. I feel this discrimination is wrong because I am ready to pay the money and the respect…everything. Then why is that discrimination and why is television considered as a small medium? or television actors? I have seen many film actors looking and saying, ‘Oh my God, she’s a television actress’. All these film actors come to television only to promote their films. I feel really sad for what happened for Hina Khan and I am really proud of her, she’s dealt with it and people cannot discriminate we are all artists and we should be treated equally.
Aniruddh Dave
I feel, be it a film or television, an actor is an actor. Any actor going to such a renowned film festival or award ceremony, then it’s an achievement. I really want to congratulate Hina Khan that she has achieved so much and it’s a proud moment for our fraternity too that a television actor is going to Cannes. There’s nothing as television and films, an artist is an artist. There should not be discrimination. It has not happened to me but I feel that if someone has given some comment on a certain thing then it’s their personal view. But actors have a mass reach and it’s a very happy moment and I am happy television actors are growing and working in films, web series and they are getting motivated. It’s an achievement.
Tinaa Dattaa
Hina or for that matter any TV actor should be encouraged rather than been made a target of unnecessary comments. Bollywood has to come out of their limited mindset. Television folks work very hard and no one likes to be commented upon at such a gala event where every actor wants to go but cannot.
Nishant Malkani