TOI: Celebdom at wat price - Aamir-Sanjee

Celebdom... At what price?

TNN, Oct 30, 2010, 12.00am IST

Who's not spellbound by the tantalising effect of arc lights that the world of television offers? And with television gaining an edge over the big screen, everyone in the supply chain wants to cash in on it. But the world of glamour does not come without detriment.

With the moolah and celebdom comes trouble. Recently, telly world's reality show sensation Kim Kardashian came up with a statement that it was reality TV that has affected her love life and thus resulting in a breakup with Miles Austin. Does the world of showbiz really affect actors' personal lives? Most of our television actors don't agree (are they speaking the truth??) According to them, it is how one copes with the situation and doesn't allow work to affect personal relationships.

Some time ago Sanjeeda Shaikh and Aamir Ali's relationship was in trouble, apparently because of a reality show that Aamir didn't want her to participate in, since he was already doing it. Even though the couple denied rumours of a rift between them, they admitted that two people need to have great understanding between them when they are part of a show competing opposite each other. On a general note, Sanjeeda says, "During the heat of the moment people may vent their feelings out on a reality show. But that does not remain etched in a viewer's mind. Audiences tend to forget what you did on a reality show after the show ends and life goes on."

Bakhtyaar and Tanaaz Irani too seemed to have developed some friction when they were both in Bigg Boss' house last season. "A show can affect two people's lives, but it depends on how they handle it," points out Bakhtyaar.

One of the biggest examples today is that of Sara Khan and Ali Merchant. Sara is in the house crying on Ashmit Patel's shoulders about her relationship and poor Ali is going to town saying all is well between them. Now whether this is a publicity stunt pulled off by all the parties concerned or it is a genuine strain on this young couple's lives is debatable.

Controversies apart, working in television is a demanding job. As says actress B arkha Sengupta, "The work-life of an actor is very hectic. And things become complicated when one tries to juggle between reality shows and soaps simultaneously. It is about shooting for 12 hours a day for 30 days a month, which may take a toll on your relationship, if you can't cope with the stress. I have never found it difficult to juggle between two things though." So, does the couple's profession help in overcoming this hurdle? "Often, if the couple are in the same profession, it helps a lot as they tend to understand each other's limitations and constraints. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to explain to your partner as to why you are so busy," says Barkha.

A positive frame of mind, according to many, is the best way to handle the pressure that a reality show offers. As Hiten Tejwani says, "I have never found it difficult to handle both my profession as well as love life, especially family life. And because I am a happy-go-lucky person. We did have pressure to perform when we took part in a reality show. My wife Gauri and I would get tired... one had to deal with people's hopes and besides that, there were the rehearsals which were completely energy sapping." Navya Malini

Read more: Celebdom... At what price? - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv-/Celebdom-At-what-price/articleshow/6834404.cms#ixzz13mCs1qY4