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Bollywood is the big dream of every aspiring actor. While star kids get an easy access into Bollywood, there are many who have to struggle it out and take the long hard route. Actors like Shahrukh Khan, Vidya Balan and Irrfan khan who started with Television and then moved on to Bollywood, have proved their mettle and created a niche for themselves in the Hindi film industry. Many actors who do not fare too well on the silver screen turn to Television as an option. And then there are many who fare well on TV but dream of seeing themselves on the big screen. We list a few TV actors who have been very successful on the small screen but have not had the same luck in Bollywood. Here's a look at TV actors whose film careers did not take off.
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Amar Upadhyay- Amar Upadhyay has been one of the biggest names on television, courtesy soap queen Ekta Kapoor who gave him a big break with the show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Amar played the role of Mihir Virani and his character went on to become iconic, making him a household name. He catapulted to success almost overnight. Mihir had earlier done shows like Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai, Viraasat but it was Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi that brought him the fame. Mihir even went on to win major awards for his performance in the serial including Best Television Personality and Best Actor (Popular). Mihir later quit the show and Ronit Roy took his place. Mihir then tried his hands at films and made his Bollywood debut with Dhund: The Fog and it flopped at the Box Office. Amar had earlier appeared in the film Censor directed and produced by Dev Anand but played a very small role. Then he went on to do more films like Jodi Kya Banayi Wah Wah Ramji, 13B, Dahshat, Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge! and Lodi Road. But these films did nothing for his career. Amar Upadhyay is one of the most successful TV actors who failed in Bollywood03
Rajeev Khandelwal-Rajeev started his career as a model and was seen in the telefilm Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat. He had a successful start in the world of Television with shows like Kahin To Hoga, C.I.D. and Left Right Left. Rajeev's good looks and acting ability ensured he became a hit with viewers and the actor soon tried his hands in Bollywood. He made his film debut with the critically acclaimed film Aamir. Rajeev was highly appreciated for his performance and was soon seen in Shaitan, again a critically acclaimed film. But with movies like Soundtrack , Will You Marry Me? and Table No.21, Rajeev's career failed to take off. The actor has another release coming up, Samrat & Co. where he plays the role of a private investigator. The film's success at the box office is yet to be seen, but it has no big star cast. He's been popular on TV. When he hosted Sach Ka Saamna, Season 1 did very well. Maybe Rajeev should consider TV as a backup because although his performances are much appreciated, the films do not rake in the required moolah, nor bring him the success he deserves. 04
Aamna Sharif- Aamna began her career with modelling and also appeared in music videos, making a name for herself quickly. She debuted on TV with Ekta Kapoor's Kahiin To Hoga opposite Rajeev Khandelwal and the show was an instant hit! There were rumours that Aamna and Rajeev were allegedly dating. She made her Bollywood debut with Aloo Chaat opposite Aftab Shivdasani. The film opened to mixed reviews and Aamna then went on to star in Aao Wish Karein opposite Aftab again. But these films did nothing to establish a stronghold for her in Bollywood. In an interview to The Times of India, Aamna had said, "I have no regrets about films I did. Experience teaches you a lot. I selected a few wrong projects but will be more careful from now on. It wasn't easy to shift from TV to films." Aamna then made a comeback to television after a hiatus with the show Honge Judaa Na Hum. But due to low TRPs, the show was taken off air. She will play a small role in the Sidharth Malhotra, Riteish Deshmukh and Shraddha Kapoor starrer Ek Villain. 05
Eijaz Khan-Eijaz Khan appeared in music videos like Leena O Leena, Kuch To Kaho, Nachche Sari Raat to name a few and even went on to do many commercials. Soap queen Ekta Kapoor launched him and he was once her blue eyed boy. Eijaz was seen in hit shows like Kkusum, Kahiin To Hoga, Kasamh Se and Kkavyanjali. He was linked to his Kkavyanjali co star Anita Hassanandani. Eijaz then tried his hands at films and was seen playing a small role in Thakshak. He followed it up with films like Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Zameen, Just Married, Kuch Na Kaho and Zilla Ghaziabad. But they did nothing for his career. His film Lucky Kabootar has been stuck for the longest time and will finally see the light of the day. But Eijaz has not been very lucky with films and his last two TV shows failed to garner good TRPs.06
Anita Hassanandani- Anita Hassanandani had a successful career in television with hit shows like Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii and Kavyanjali and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Anita also played the role of Draupadi in Ekta Kapoor's Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki, who happens to be her best friend. Then Ekta also gave her a break in Bollywood with the 2003 thriller Kucch To Hai that also starred Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol,Natassha, Yash Tonk, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra and Moonmoon Sen. The film bombed at the box office. Anita was then seen in films like Yeh Dil, Koi Aap Sa, Just Married and had a small role in Ragini MMS 2. Anita's Bollywood career failed to take off as expected in spite of having the support of Ekta Kapoor. She's currently back to television with the show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein where she plays a negative character. 
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