Posted:
Not a 'class'y act
1 Apr 2008, 0000 hrs IST
,KIRTI SETHI ,TNN
Saurabh Pandey, Rajat Tokas, Aditya Narayan and Abigail.
Okay, so we know, prime time television in India sure believes in catching them young. Take a closer look at the teen brigade which has taken over television — Abigail,15 and Krystle D'Souza, 16 (Kya Dill Mein Hai on 9X), Rajat Tokas, 15 (Dharam Veer on NDTV Imagine), Dimple Jhagtiani, 18, (Kuch Is Tarah), Saurabh Pandey, 19 (Jiya Jale), Aditya Narayan, 19 (Sa Re Ga Ma), Abhaas Joshi, 16 (Voice of India-Chhote Ustaad), Mauli Dave, 18 (Rock 'n' Roll Family)... the list grows every day.
Every soapmaker seems to be heading to high schools and colleges in search of their 'new' star. And the new teenybopper TV stars have it all — prime time fame, good money and all other perks of being an instant celeb. But are fame, glamour and big bucks enough to compensate for the lack of a normal teenager's life, the heady joys of being in high school, attending prom nights and going on movie dates? Or more importantly, is high school/college education worth sacrificing at the altar of telly fame?
Ask Rajat, who's balancing his school exams and hectic shooting for Dharam Veer which leaves him with very little time for himself, and he says, "My exams just got over and I am feeling relieved. Of course producers do make concessions and give me leave to study, but that time is not enough. I want to give my best to my exams also." What is the need to act at such an early age then? "I enjoy acting, the money's good and people know me. When you achieve success as a youngster, it's more fun," he adds.
For some missing out on the fun on being on the college campus is a loss, but being part of a popular reality talent hunt show more than makes up for it. Abhaas, who is all of 16, admits that he does miss being in school, but the perks of hosting a show are much more. "I would have missed out anchoring the show if I didn't take up the offer. So many people would give anything to be in my shoes. I am doing a very challenging job," feels Abhaas.
But working with seasoned and much older professionals must be really very tough. It is "daunting" admits Saurabh Pandey who plays the male lead in Jiya Jale, to work with "actors who are not only big names in the field, but also experienced and extremely talented. Fortunately, my co-actors are very helpful and make me feel comfortable. I don't feel nervous about working with them."
Teenage actors are sometimes unable to bear the stress of long work hours and hectic schedules and have had health problems. Like Krystle, who had to quit playing the lead in Kahe Na Kahe (9X) because she wasn't able to "cope" with the 20 hour shifts. Even teenage star Prachi Desai, who is now an aspiring movie actor, confesses to have had problems coping with the work stress in the beginning. "Initially I couldn't wake up in the morning on time because I was shooting through the night. I even got skin rashes because of heavy make-up. College is fun, you have no tension, you can chill out and study when required, but acting is something you have to be passionate about. It is a tough job," avers Prachi.
Do producers/directors like grooming these 'raw' talents? "These days the age of entering television has decreased. You have 15 year olds playing the lead roles, and doing a commendable job at that. We have no complaints with people starting off young," says Vikaas Gupta, creative head of a leading channel.
And if teenagers can infuse a breath of mint-freshness on the shows and rake in the TRPs (and the moolah), no one's going to complain for sure!
Sorry if Posted Before....
Source: Today's Times of India!!
1 Apr 2008, 0000 hrs IST
,KIRTI SETHI ,TNNSaurabh Pandey, Rajat Tokas, Aditya Narayan and Abigail.
Okay, so we know, prime time television in India sure believes in catching them young. Take a closer look at the teen brigade which has taken over television — Abigail,15 and Krystle D'Souza, 16 (Kya Dill Mein Hai on 9X), Rajat Tokas, 15 (Dharam Veer on NDTV Imagine), Dimple Jhagtiani, 18, (Kuch Is Tarah), Saurabh Pandey, 19 (Jiya Jale), Aditya Narayan, 19 (Sa Re Ga Ma), Abhaas Joshi, 16 (Voice of India-Chhote Ustaad), Mauli Dave, 18 (Rock 'n' Roll Family)... the list grows every day.
Every soapmaker seems to be heading to high schools and colleges in search of their 'new' star. And the new teenybopper TV stars have it all — prime time fame, good money and all other perks of being an instant celeb. But are fame, glamour and big bucks enough to compensate for the lack of a normal teenager's life, the heady joys of being in high school, attending prom nights and going on movie dates? Or more importantly, is high school/college education worth sacrificing at the altar of telly fame?
Ask Rajat, who's balancing his school exams and hectic shooting for Dharam Veer which leaves him with very little time for himself, and he says, "My exams just got over and I am feeling relieved. Of course producers do make concessions and give me leave to study, but that time is not enough. I want to give my best to my exams also." What is the need to act at such an early age then? "I enjoy acting, the money's good and people know me. When you achieve success as a youngster, it's more fun," he adds.
For some missing out on the fun on being on the college campus is a loss, but being part of a popular reality talent hunt show more than makes up for it. Abhaas, who is all of 16, admits that he does miss being in school, but the perks of hosting a show are much more. "I would have missed out anchoring the show if I didn't take up the offer. So many people would give anything to be in my shoes. I am doing a very challenging job," feels Abhaas.
But working with seasoned and much older professionals must be really very tough. It is "daunting" admits Saurabh Pandey who plays the male lead in Jiya Jale, to work with "actors who are not only big names in the field, but also experienced and extremely talented. Fortunately, my co-actors are very helpful and make me feel comfortable. I don't feel nervous about working with them."
Teenage actors are sometimes unable to bear the stress of long work hours and hectic schedules and have had health problems. Like Krystle, who had to quit playing the lead in Kahe Na Kahe (9X) because she wasn't able to "cope" with the 20 hour shifts. Even teenage star Prachi Desai, who is now an aspiring movie actor, confesses to have had problems coping with the work stress in the beginning. "Initially I couldn't wake up in the morning on time because I was shooting through the night. I even got skin rashes because of heavy make-up. College is fun, you have no tension, you can chill out and study when required, but acting is something you have to be passionate about. It is a tough job," avers Prachi.
Do producers/directors like grooming these 'raw' talents? "These days the age of entering television has decreased. You have 15 year olds playing the lead roles, and doing a commendable job at that. We have no complaints with people starting off young," says Vikaas Gupta, creative head of a leading channel.
And if teenagers can infuse a breath of mint-freshness on the shows and rake in the TRPs (and the moolah), no one's going to complain for sure!
Sorry if Posted Before....
Source: Today's Times of India!!
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