Tumm Se Tumm Tak Niharika Chouksey Opens Up About Gruelling TV Schedules: "I Work All 30 Days"

Television actress Niharika Chouksey, who is currently seen as Anu in Zee TV's Tumm Se Tumm Tak, has opened up about the demanding reality of working in the television industry. The actress spoke candidly about the responsibilities that come with leading a daily soap and revealed that actors often have to sacrifice their personal lives because of the hectic shooting schedules.

Niharika shared that being the lead actor in a television show is a huge responsibility as the entire show depends on the central characters. She explained that actors who choose television as their profession must be mentally prepared for the long working hours and the lack of personal time.

Talking about the responsibility of playing the lead role, Niharika said, "Leading a show is a huge responsibility because the entire show rests on your shoulders. And if you're the heroine, it's even tougher. If you've chosen television, you have to understand that your personal life is almost gone. After that, your entire focus has to be on the show."

The actress also revealed that her work schedule rarely allows her to take a break. According to her, she works almost every day of the month and sometimes continues shooting for several weeks without a single day off.

Sharing her own experience, Niharika said, "I work all 30 days. I barely get a single day off. There have been times when I've worked continuously for 50 days for this show. When I fell sick, I think I was already shooting for nearly 50 days without a single break."

She clarified that such demanding schedules are not planned intentionally but are part of the fast-paced nature of television production.

Explaining why television actors often work continuously, she said, "It's not that anyone deliberately wants this to happen. It doesn't work that way. We have a seven-day telecast schedule, there are footage requirements, and many other factors. You have to prepare yourself mentally for that."

Niharika further spoke about the importance of balancing health and professional responsibilities. While she acknowledged that taking care of one's health is important, she also believes that actors have a responsibility towards their work and must continue performing despite personal challenges.

Speaking about this, she said, "Taking care of your health is important, of course. But this is also a responsibility. Sometimes I don't feel well. Sometimes you're happy, sometimes you're sad. But if the scene demands that you smile, you have to act. That saying about actors being like clowns is absolutely true. No matter what's happening in your personal life, you still have to perform on screen. That's your responsibility."

The actress also addressed the common perception that television is all about glamour. According to her, audiences often see only the finished product on screen, while the hard work that goes into creating every episode remains unnoticed.

Niharika pointed out that actors are not the only ones working long hours. She praised every member of the production team and highlighted the efforts of the crew members who spend even longer hours on the set.

Talking about the contribution of the crew, she said, "When people talk about long working hours, they usually think about actors. But when I look around, I realise that we're still doing 12-hour shifts, while the lightmen, spot dadas, and the rest of the crew arrive two hours before us and leave two hours after us. They hardly have a personal life either. Television may look glamorous, but there's far more hard work behind it than people imagine. And it's not just the actors. The entire unit works tirelessly, and they deserve equal credit."

Through her comments, Niharika highlighted the demanding nature of daily soap production and the commitment required from everyone involved in making a television show.

Daily soaps are known for their continuous telecast schedules, which require actors and crew members to work almost every day to ensure episodes are delivered on time. This often leaves little room for personal time or extended breaks.

Currently, Niharika continues to entertain audiences as Anu in Tumm Se Tumm Tak. While viewers see the glamour and emotions on screen, the actress's remarks offer a glimpse into the hard work, discipline, and dedication that go into bringing a daily television show to audiences every single day.

Her statements also serve as a reminder that behind every episode is an entire team working tirelessly, with actors and crew members alike making personal sacrifices to keep the show running smoothly.