TOI: TV has always given me good work-Anup

TV has always given me good work

Actor Anup Soni comes clean on what it feels like straddling television and films,his equation with wife Juhi Babbar and lots more

Amrita Mulchandani


After playing strong character roles on television and films for some years now,his is a familiar face to most soap addicts.Anup Soni whos currently juggling a busy career as a TV star (hes anchoring Crime Patrol and playing a strong character role in Balika Vadhu) says that he has enough time on hand to take up another show and manages to find time for his wife and family.Excerpts from an interview:

Television shows are primarily meant to offer entertainment.Why did you choose to anchor a show based on crime and criminals


Television is not meant only for entertainment.There are travel shows,cooking shows,games shows and news channels too.Television is supposed to offer infotainment and all the shows are meant to spread knowledge and awareness served with a dash of entertainment.Crime Patrol is grabbing eyeballs because its approach is genuine.The show makers arent portraying the cases by adding extra hype which news channels tend to do with their shows.

While most actors prefer to concentrate on one show,you are working in two.How do you manage


As an actor who doesnt want to be appreciated Im glad that both my shows are doing well.People have a perception that working in two shows hardly leaves any time for an actor for anything else,but it isnt true.I feel I can even take up a third show.Though all this does make me feel more responsible as an actor Crime Patrol makers have told me that I cant do negative roles till this show of mine is on air.

You have made a mark in both,films and TV.What gives you more creative satisfaction


As an actor I have to be convinced about the role before I take it up.If I get good offers in films,I will do them too.Films dont have the same kind of reach that TV offers.TV has given me better work.I have recently done a film with Nagesh Kukunoor titled Yeh Hausla.

What do you feel about todays actors


Acting is not taken seriously anymore.Every job needs specialisation.While an actor doesnt need degrees or training,some kind of knowledge about the craft is required.One also needs to have a knack for acting.With the increase in the number of channels theres demand for more shows which in turn has lead production houses to churn out below average fare on TV impacting the quality of programming quite a bit.I feel sad when people cant pronounce Hindi words properly.If someone doesnt get an English word right,we we laugh at that person.When someone falters in Hindi,we take it casually.

Apart from acting what keeps you going


I love to read and watch films.I am reading Steve Jobss biography and Oswald Pereiras Newsroom Mafia.

Does it help an actor if his/her partner belongs to the industry


It depends.Juhi (Babbar) is busy with her work in theatre she writes,directs,acts and designs costumes.I take time out to spend with her.