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They are no longer satisfied being billed as the country cousins of their metro brethren and want to scream it loud and clear that they have arrived! And after some initial hitches and glitches, tellydom is finally making way for these tough as nails Nagpurian youngsters, who have stormed the idiot box like never before! Whether it is Mitali Nag, who is playing the lead in Afsar Bitiya on Zee TV, Pooja Banerjee, who played the lead in Ek Doosre Se Karte Hain Pyar Hum on Star Plus, or Vaibhav Joshi, who is playing a crucial role in ongoing Bade Ache Lagte Hain on Sony TV, or child artiste Nandini Kapoor, who was adored by the viewers in comic show Chote Miyan Bade Miyan on Colors, Nagpurians are making their presence felt. Is this a fluke, a mere flash in the pan scenario? And how easy or tough has been this terrain? TOI digs deeper...
Tough journey
Coming from a mini-metro, it is not easy for an actor to get acceptance from the TV or film industry, says Mitali Nag, and goes on to add: "In Nagpur we tend to lead a protected life, and the bindaas culture of Mumbai tends to unsettle you initially. So, it's tough indeed in the beginning! But, kudos to Rakesh Paswan the writer-producer of Afsar Bitiya, who told me that talent doesn't know any boundaries or tags of small or big town. So, I guess it takes only one person to start and be the change!"
Typical Mindsets
This battle for survival has many hues. After doing a brief stint as an RJ in Nagpur, Sanchita Kulkarni has now carved a niche in Marathi serials. Having played main negative lead in Ekta Kapoor's serials like Arundhati (Zee Marathi), Bandh Reshamache (Star Pravaah) and Hindi serial Pyar Ki Ek Kahani on Star one, Sanchita is now in a position, where she can pick and choose her roles. But, she is forthright enough to admit: "I am still fighting a two-fold battle. People tend to have a condescending attitude towards my small-town aura, and worse, my dusky complexion is looked down upon. But, I'm fiercely proud of my complexion as well as my Nagpur identity and refuse to make any allowances!"
Lucky boy
But, Ranjeet Jog confesses that he has had it relatively easier. Ask him to explain the reason and the popular villain of Bandh Reshmache fame says: "Since my dad Sanjay Jog (Bharat of teleserial Ramayana) is a well-known name in the industry, I found it easy to meet producers and directors. But after that, it's merit that takes you forward. I didn't find Mumbai lifestyle too fast either because I was already exposed to that thanks to my father being an actor. So, for me, my Nagpur factor was neither an advantage or disadvantage. Now I'm looking forward to my forthcoming Marathi serial and a Hindi film, which will go on floors next year."
Advantage Nagpur
If Nagpur factor didn't really affect Ranjeet in his journey, Vaibhav feels that his Nagpur upbringing gave him an upper hand. "I feel coming from Nagpur, I am more confident than many of my Mumbai colleagues. Mumbai society is divided in two distinct class - the super rich and the rest - whereas in Nagpur, I used to hang out with all kinds of friends -la-di-dah rich and middle class. So, I'm comfortable in all segments and I feel Mumbai has a large quantum of talent, but it's lacking in quality," says he and adds, "Now I'm looking towards films - my dream destination!"
Raw appeal
Pooja is another city gal, who says her innocent, raw Nagpurian appeal actually worked well for her. "When I went to Mumbai, I was a complete novice. I didn't know anything about camera angles and acting acumen. The first day of shoot was actually a disaster, and my rawness showed on screen. I guess soon the director-producer realised that it suited the character, and soon the entire track and story revolved around me! So, I'm really thrilled! Now, I can sit back and pick and choose the work."
Nandini, who's all of 11, happily adds: "I'm also all geared up to take up the offers of standup shows, which I will certainly accept in my summer break because I can't ignore my studies and syllabus is getting vast now. Nagpur youngsters are now ready to take on the world and nothing can stop them!"
Tough journey
Coming from a mini-metro, it is not easy for an actor to get acceptance from the TV or film industry, says Mitali Nag, and goes on to add: "In Nagpur we tend to lead a protected life, and the bindaas culture of Mumbai tends to unsettle you initially. So, it's tough indeed in the beginning! But, kudos to Rakesh Paswan the writer-producer of Afsar Bitiya, who told me that talent doesn't know any boundaries or tags of small or big town. So, I guess it takes only one person to start and be the change!"
Typical Mindsets
This battle for survival has many hues. After doing a brief stint as an RJ in Nagpur, Sanchita Kulkarni has now carved a niche in Marathi serials. Having played main negative lead in Ekta Kapoor's serials like Arundhati (Zee Marathi), Bandh Reshamache (Star Pravaah) and Hindi serial Pyar Ki Ek Kahani on Star one, Sanchita is now in a position, where she can pick and choose her roles. But, she is forthright enough to admit: "I am still fighting a two-fold battle. People tend to have a condescending attitude towards my small-town aura, and worse, my dusky complexion is looked down upon. But, I'm fiercely proud of my complexion as well as my Nagpur identity and refuse to make any allowances!"
Lucky boy
But, Ranjeet Jog confesses that he has had it relatively easier. Ask him to explain the reason and the popular villain of Bandh Reshmache fame says: "Since my dad Sanjay Jog (Bharat of teleserial Ramayana) is a well-known name in the industry, I found it easy to meet producers and directors. But after that, it's merit that takes you forward. I didn't find Mumbai lifestyle too fast either because I was already exposed to that thanks to my father being an actor. So, for me, my Nagpur factor was neither an advantage or disadvantage. Now I'm looking forward to my forthcoming Marathi serial and a Hindi film, which will go on floors next year."
Advantage Nagpur
If Nagpur factor didn't really affect Ranjeet in his journey, Vaibhav feels that his Nagpur upbringing gave him an upper hand. "I feel coming from Nagpur, I am more confident than many of my Mumbai colleagues. Mumbai society is divided in two distinct class - the super rich and the rest - whereas in Nagpur, I used to hang out with all kinds of friends -la-di-dah rich and middle class. So, I'm comfortable in all segments and I feel Mumbai has a large quantum of talent, but it's lacking in quality," says he and adds, "Now I'm looking towards films - my dream destination!"
Raw appeal
Pooja is another city gal, who says her innocent, raw Nagpurian appeal actually worked well for her. "When I went to Mumbai, I was a complete novice. I didn't know anything about camera angles and acting acumen. The first day of shoot was actually a disaster, and my rawness showed on screen. I guess soon the director-producer realised that it suited the character, and soon the entire track and story revolved around me! So, I'm really thrilled! Now, I can sit back and pick and choose the work."
Nandini, who's all of 11, happily adds: "I'm also all geared up to take up the offers of standup shows, which I will certainly accept in my summer break because I can't ignore my studies and syllabus is getting vast now. Nagpur youngsters are now ready to take on the world and nothing can stop them!"
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Marathi TV
