TOI: Prime Time Switch -- HC

Prime time switch

Some telly hotties jump from one show to another as lead characters with effortless ease

Amrita Mulchandani


On prime time television,where superstars are a rare breed,there are some actors who manage to switch channels and shows and even find instant acceptance in their new avatars.Not for them the pangs of waiting for dream roles even as they are forced into a sabbatical.What makes these actors get out of their image trap with such effortless ease and slip on to new roles so soon
Actors are repeated when they are good,have freshness left in them and the right attitude to work.Channels also need to approve of the popular actor when hes signed in as the lead character in a show.The average shelflife of a TV actor is three to five years,so he/she makes the most of the telly stint, says creative producer Siddharth P Malhotra,as he goes on to add,Often TV actors are not repeated as leads because success goes to their heads and channels and the production houses find it difficult to work with them.
So what works in favour for actors who are repeated as leads in TV shows Some shows need fresh faces and some require known ones.Plus,it is not necessary that fresh faces always work.Established and popular actors are repeated based on their professionalism and acting experience,besides,they also add value to the show.I have repeated actors who not only fit in their characters but are also thorough professionals, says producer Rajan Shahi.
Do actors who move on to newer lead characters consider themselves fortunate I didnt want to be seen too frequently on the small screen,thats why I never did cameos.Confidence and positive attitude are my forte.Unlike other TV actors Im not insecure since my parents supported me completely when I was on a break and thats what worked for me, says actor Rati Pandey.
Actor Aditya Redij says,Whenever Ive been given a chance,I have proved myself as an actor.I am glad that producers who have faith in me repeated me.I feel good performance is what keeps an actor going. Actor Kritika Kamra admits that her hard work has paid off and has given her another lead character to perform.I am lucky as producers and audience have faith in me.
In an era where remote control junkies decide the fates of their telly idols,keeping the audiences faith is all important indeed!
amrita.mulchandani@timesgroup.com