| By A.L. Chougule |
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Like Iqbal, several actors have quit prime time shows at the peak of the their popularity. These include Rajeev Khandelwal, Kiran Karmakar, Shweta Kwatra, Manish Goyal, Shweta Keswani, Arjun Punj, Mohnish Belh, Gurdeep Kohli, Poonam Joshi, Delnaz and Rajiv Paul and doctor-turned-actor-turned-producer Anuj Saxena, to name just a few. Earlier, most actors never dreamt of walking out of a popular show even if they were not satisfied with their role. What was an exception a few years ago is rather common today. "There are various reasons, both personal and professional," says producer Sunjoy Wadhwa of Saath Phere and Betiyaan. "As daily soaps undergo various changes sometimes actors feel dissatisfied with the way their characters shape up. Some times they have a tempting offer elsewhere and do not mind jumping the sets. And at times it's the fatigue factor as well." Star India's senior creative director Shailja Kejriwal says by and large breaks, replacements and quitting have become a routine because of an actor's inability to cope with the pressure of working in dailies. "Sometimes it is creative dissatisfaction that also plays a part," she says. Kahiin To Hoga was Rajeev Khandelwal's debut show. Though he became very popular as Sujal, he quit the serial just a year after it started and remained out of the limelight for the next two years. "I have always wanted to do quality work. Kahiin To Hoga was a love story and I quit it because after one year the love story was over and it became a regular saas-bahu drama," reasons Rajeev who during his two-year break did only Time Bomb and a music video. "I am not here to be part of every popular show. I travelled a lot and did lot of other things for my own growth and happiness. For the last eight months I am doing Left Right Left because I genuinely believe in the show." As Om of Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kiran Karmakar was hugely popular. But after five years he quit, saying, "I needed a break to get away from the monotony of doing one role for over five years. More than just a break, I needed a change." Once he quit Kahani, it was a year before the sluice gates opened and he was offered more roles. "I was offered leads in practically every serial, both on-air and new – Yeh Meri Life Hai, Jassi, CID and Kohinoor. Ekta had also offered me two shows. But I was not ready for any serial. I wanted to stay away from television and was also looking for some new challenging roles," he justifies. While he is currently doing the weekly Thodi Si Zameen he recently quit Saathi Re because he didn't find anything interesting in the character. Manish Goyal, post-Nach Baliye, walked out of Bhabhi which made him popular as Tilak. He also quit Betiyaan. Says Manish, "I do one project at a time and give it my 100 per cent. I have done four popular serials and every show has been a great experience. But I didn't get what I was promised in Betiyaan. At this stage of my career I am looking for something challenging. I was offered Durgesh Nandini but I refused because I was being denied freedom to do something else for 90 days." Shweta Kwatra, Pallavi of Kahani, was too tired of monotony and hectic shooting schedule to continue with the show. "I chose not to do a daily for almost two years, hoping for the scene to change. But it did not. Nach Baliye kept me busy for six months but now I am all prepared to do a daily," she admits. A newcomer like Poonam Joshi too didn't think twice before quitting Balaji's Kahiin To Hoga. "though I took a risk I didn't remain jobless even for a month." For the production houses, stars quitting is the least of their worries. A replacement doesn't affect the shows' popularity. "The audience has matured. They connect more with the story than actors," feels Shailja. Another reason is the opportunities and money. Today actors are hardly an insecure lot. "It is a huge industry and there is enough work around," says Gurdeep. Sunjoy feels money factor is definitely one of the major reasons behind actors quitting shows mid-way. "Five years ago actors would have thought five times before leaving a show. Today because of their increased financial comfort they can afford to walk out for whatever reason," he says. Agrees Rajiv Paul who quit Karam along with wife Delnaz, "Three years ago I would not done it. Today I am in a position to pick and choose because money is not a problem with me anymore." |
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