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crazyfats

@crazyfats

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Posted: 19 years ago

One serial at a time is the mantra of 'quality conscious' TV actors...

Aamir Khan started it and other actors followed suit. Most Bollywood actors have today turned choosy and work on one project at a time. The trend now seems to be catching on even among television actors. While some of them are under contract, others prefer to be associated only with good projects, which are few and far between.

Says Sumeet 'Gomzi' Sachdev, "It's not difficult to get work, any average actor can bag three-four projects with inconsequential roles. Of course, it also means that you can make lots of money, but I would rather be associated with a good project like

Kyunkii... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi than five average ones." Sumeet adds that he doesn't mind doing episodic roles or a small series, but he is hesitant to take on another daily soap. Same goes for Rajeev Khandelwal, who post his stint as Sujal in Kahiin To Hoga, is now acting in Time Bomb, another weekly serial.

Rajeev points out, "I don't want to be shooting 24/7. Acting in one serial at a time gives me ample time for myself. Besides, I can also concentrate on the character that I'm playing." It's not just the men who choose to follow the trend. Niki Aneja and Nausheen Ali Sardar too stick to one project at a time.
"It's all about quality. I don't want to cheat my audience by acting in a mediocre serial after doing such a powerful character," says Niki who plays Dr Simran in Astitva.

But what about the money factor? Does that make a difference? "Money is definitely important, but it does not top my priority list," says Nausheen.

She adds that during her Kkusum days, she used to shoot 25-27 days in a month. "I had no time for myself or my family. Now, when I accept an assignment, I see to it that I get some time of myself." Niki, who has managed to juggle five serials at a time, points, "Earlier, most serials used to be weekly soaps, so I could take on so many assignments. If I accept so many assignments today, I'll have to shoot round the clock."