Why a 'NO' to father's role???

It's usually a Dream Come True for a father when he holds his tiny tot in hand and thanks God for this small bundle of happiness. However, this is not the same feeling for actors who are provided this golden opportunity of becoming fathers on the small screen.

On this auspicious day Telly Buzz thought of sharing with you something common but certainly a deciding factor in television that usually puts the Producers and the channel in a big dilemma.

There have been lot many instances on television when the makers have been forced to make lot many compromises both with the script as well as the realistic touch in order to portray the leads as fathers.
 
This trend has always been there, whether it be the popular shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, or a Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii or Kumkum Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan. This trend follows in even today, and has caused problems to the extent of shows being forced to close down just because the lead actors refuse to go in for a leap. Take the recent cases of Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai wherein Kinshuk Mahajan and Sara Khan reportedly refused to grow old. Or Bhagyavidhaata wherein the lead actor had to be bumped off just because he was not in for a leap. And there's also the drastic case of Rishton Se Badi Pratha ending for the same reason. Or take the recent rumour of Sushant Singh Rajput being unhappy over the proposed leap in Pavitra Rishta!

While this is from the actors' point of view, spare a thought to the problems of the Producers who make these larger than life characters only to struggle after a point of time..

TellyBuzz managed to speak to certain popular Producers to know what they feel about this growing problem in the industry.

Rajan Shahi, Producer of hit shows Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai  speaks, "As a Producer I always respect an actor's decision if he wants to play the role of a father or not. But at the same time, personally I feel that if the person is a good, strong and confident actor, his star image will not get affected if he takes up the role of a father. There are certain actors in the industry who survive with the star image alone. There were times when 23 year old actors used to play father and grandfather to a 19 year old. I feel that if the actor has the potential and if he is convincing enough to fit in the role, then there is no harm in playing it".

Jamnadas Majethia who has given lot many successful shows says, "When a show takes a leap after several episodes, the actors sometimes feel trapped inside the show. My show Behenien would have faced the problem if I had not told Sudeep Sahir about his role very much in advance.. I had already mentioned to him that he will eventually turn a father in the show. He said it would be fine with him if he was a father to a kid who is around five to six years of age and I assured him as well that it will be like that. I would say that Indian television is funny and the audience also is strange as they accept what is presented to them and in a way it is good for us".

Pearl Grey, the maker of one of the popular on Star Plus, Pratigya faced an unfortunate loss recently when her show, Rishton Se Badi Pratha on Colors went off air after the actors said no to take a gen leap, "Basically life in television life is short. When you are offered the first show, you are destined to take it as you are not in a position to choose.  But once the show is a success and their characters become popular, they do have a choice to think about the next shows that come to them".

"We do understand that in television, the career starts at the age of eighteen and twenty and actors are doing roles of a married couple which they are not in real life. So it is obvious for them to have a reluctance in taking up the parental role. But at the same time they should understand that they will not be type casted if they do that", she continues.

 "When we decided to do Pratha, the leap was already in the script and we had made it clear to the actors. But when the show was well accepted, the channel wanted it to drag it a little bit. And when the show was entering its real story, the actors showed their reluctance. It is not a problem when one actor decides to quit, but when many of them join, there is no meaning in continuing the show. And there is no point of relaunching the show with new cast. So, all thanks to the actors for making the show see its last", avers Pearl.

Siddharth Malhotra who has rather taken the safe route so far by working on youth oriented shows like the very popular show on Star One, Dill Mill Gayye says, "Touchwood, I have never had a problem with the actors in my show. Actually I never did shows that needed leap. We have seen in television where young actors are made father and I do not think it is their fault when they do not agree to play such a role".

Yash Patnaik another of those Producers who has never faced a problem with the actors states, "There are good actors who make the characters and there are certain actors who create an image. I feel that actors should be responsible enough to understand that a lot is spent on a show when it is made. Also I believe that if any problem arises, it could be sorted out with proper discussion and talk".

Well, when we talked to the Producers, Rajan Shahi, J.D.Majethia, Siddharth Malhotra and Yash Patnaik, we understood that they make great fathers too as they spend valuable time with their kids. Siddharth Malhotra and Yash Patnaik in fact wish to make a children show for Disney Channel, and we do hope that their dream will come true one day.

 At the end of it, all we can say is that actors have their own choice and wish to choose their roles, but what they should realize is that, once the show is already set, they are bound to take the show further in one way or the other. If they believe in themselves and if they have the confidence that they make a good actor regardless of being fathers on the show, they would be termed as successful on television!!
                      
Before we end, we in TellyBuzz would like to wish all the Proud Fathers on this Special Day...