TOI: All work and no play--Jannat

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY!

On Child Labour Day,Neha Maheshwri speaks to tellys popular child artistes about their long shooting hours and missing out on a normal childhood


Remember the cute childactress from Shaka Laka Boom Boom,Hansika Motwani,who blossomed into a young actress in almost no time Her fans and detractors were shocked to see her nature defying transformation into a curvaceous woman.Too quick to mature,but unfazed with the attention,she eased herself into the glamour world.However,handling the limelight is not a childs play.Most of the shows on television today feature children who have barely touched the twin digit in age and have already become the center of attraction.Apart from missing out on the routine childhood,they become too big for their shoes.Their innocence is camouflaged by coldness and indifference and we cant help but wonder if its really worth dragging these tiny tots into the world of sham and insecurity.

Ulka Gupta

(Claim to fame: Rani Lakshmi bai in Jhansi Ki Rani)

Best part:

Acting encourages creativity,innovation,experimentation and expressing oneself.

Worst part:

I didnt get much time for my studies during my shoot Ulka became a household name overnight as the younger Lakshmi bai.However,she found it difficult to scoop out time for her studies.I love acting but one thing that troubles me is that I cant find enough time for my studies.I could only manage two hours every day as I was shooting the maximum part of the day.I had to burn the midnight oil when my exams neared. Ulka missed the attention and adulation once she exited the show.I was depressed after I left the show post leap.I immersed myself into studies once school started.I felt bad to share the credit of something that I started. Apart from acting,Ulka has other dreams too.She wants to become a stunt director and also wishes to work as a camera person someday.Currently,she is flooded with offers but plans to opt for a weekly or biweekly as she is in class 10th and wouldnt get enough time for a daily soap.

Jannat Zubair

(Claim to fame: In and as Phulwa)

Best part:

I love crying a lot for some reason.I enjoy it,and above all it is fun.I love it when people recognise me.

Worst part:

I dont see any drawbacks of acting.I am totally fascinated by this profession.Jannat likes the attention she gets from her co-actors,the crew of the show and claims to have balanced her normal and celebrity life just fine.I dont feel that I am not living a normal childhood.I play and study on my sets.I have a special room to myself,says she.This tiny tot doesnt seem to be missing her school and building friends.States she,I go to school whenever I can and I get good marks in my exam,so studies and acting both are balanced. No matter what disadvantage the profession has,Jannat wants to pursue a career in acting itself.

Sparsh Khanchandani

(Claim to fame: Ichcha in Uttaran) Best part: Its a wonderful profession and a hobby to me.

Worst part:

There is nothing wrong about this profession.She managed to give equal time to both her school and shoot.Says she,I always found time to play with my friends. Does she feel bad about being off the limelight now,ever since the show catapulted her to fame I do miss being a part of the show but all good
things come to an end.I
dont watch the show
anymore as my
mother tells me its for elders. So how did she handle the vacuum I busied myself with my studies and enrolled in music and elementary drawing course.

Handling exposure is subjective

Producer Siddharth Tewary feels that handling the pressure and limelight can be difficult for a sexagenarian and kid equally.He says,Whether exposure has a good or bad impact on children is subjective.I have analysed that kids are exposed to the acting world by their parents,who wish to live their dreams through their kids. He ensures that the kids on his show live a routine life like any other commoner of their age.I try to ensure that they are able to attend school and are not stressed with televisions rigorous routine.They dont shoot at nights unless its imperative.

Industry is criticised excessively

Producer Rajan Shahi says I see no harm in children entering this profession.People tend to unduly criticise the industry when they see children act in TV or films.Because entertainment gives media exposure,it gets more limelight and hence the wrong perception.Dont they indulge in extra curricular activities and dont they go for swimming,tennis or skating classes Care has to be taken so that the exposure doesnt have a negative effect on them.If my child has aptitude talent and desire to get into acting I will surely allow.

Against the idea of casting children

Director Ismail Umar Khan says,It upsets me a lot to see young kids get into acting.They come exhausted directly from schools and start shooting.As a director,I am expected to do my job but then it certainly pains me to see small children shoot for long hours.You would spot a huge difference between the behavioral pattern of a normal and celebrity kid.Weekly or bi-weekly is still a wise idea but daily doesnt have my approval.

Children tend to put up an act when in public

Neha Patel (clinical psychologist and psychotherapist) Children from little towns get the chance to exhibit and hone their talents.Since,they are exposed to limelight,they suddenly become overly conscious as they feel that they are constantly under surveillance and as a result lose their inner understanding of their own
self.They start catering
to what is expected
of them behaviour wise and
tend to put up
an act very
often.
They
should be
made aware
that popularity is not
a permanent
thing.

CELEB VIEW