| Trapped in the Idiot Box |
| BRINDA PATWA KHANDWALA | Friday, August 12, 2005 17:25:36 IST |
| Actors who make their mark on TV should stick to the small screen rather than venture into films and flop, opine television viewers |
| It's a myth that in India, an actor graduates from television to Bollywood. Audiences have witnessed this move - from small screen to the 70 mm screen - has failed a number of times in the past. If an actor starts working on television, chances are, he/she will be stuck in this medium for the rest of their career. Those who do manage to succeed with such a move are more an exception than the rule. Of course, there are some who make a move the other way around, from movies to television, mainly because they flop in movies and the small screen welcomes them with open arms. Televisions most popular actors - Ronit Roy, Aman Varma, Amar Upadhyay and Natassha have been on both the media- television and films. Young Ronit Roy had tried his hand at films years ago, but failed to make place in anyone's memory. After a few forgettable films, he went on to become one of the biggest stars on Indian television with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasauti Zindagi Ki and Sarkaar. "He is better in the serials. At least on TV he can play characters that suit him. In films he would have to play a macho hero who runs around trees. Honestly, I have never noticed him when he was in the film industry," says Mrs. Usha Patel, a TV enthusiast Ekta Kapoor's favourite girl, Natassha, got into films with a Balaji venture, playing the lead opposite 'Balaji Boy' Tushar Kapoor, "She's a very good actress. She can click into films but no one other than Ekta Kapoor seems to have noticed her," says Payal Chandok, a viewer, "I guess since no one offered her films, she returned to television with Kavyanjali." Though he's a big star on television, Aman Varma has been trying hard to get into films but remains unsuccessful. With a few character roles here 'n' there (ones in the memory are Sangharsh and Baghbaan), Aman Varma soon returns to the idiot box to reclaim his fame. One of the most loved and hyped actors on TV, was Amar Upadhyay when he was playing 'Mihir Virani' in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. His exit from television was big news in the industry and TV viewers were shattered to see their favourite character 'die'... and for what? A movie called Wah Wah Ramji came and went, unseen. Soon, Amar Upadhyay came rolling back into television, "I don't understand why these actors, who are doing so well in TV serials move out to venture into films. Both Aman Varma and Amar Upadhyay have burnt their fingers trying this and they came back to TV. Other actors should take a hint from this," advises Nikita Shah,
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