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FAVOURITISM IN TV INDUSTRY? 100%, SAY ACTORS
Television actors say that just like Bollywood, their industry too, is rampant with unfair practices
After several voices spoke up against nepotism and favouritism being rampant in the Hindi film and music industry, it seems that even television has not been left untouched. We talk to a few popular names in the TV world, and what they reveal is rather surprising.
Actor Kamya Panjabi, 40, tells us that it’s practised quite openly, and many people have to suffer because of the preferential system. “It hasn’t happened with me, but I agree 100%, and I know about it. In a lot of places, it’s called being a channel’s favourite. A certain actor will continue to work even if he or she causes problems, shoots only for eight hours, or isn’t able to perform,” she says.
More actors join the debate and agree. Debina Bonnerjee, known for shows such as Ramayan and Chidiya Ghar, says that people need to take chances with actors, and not be limited in their choices.
“Sometimes, you give a very good audition, but certain channels don’t feel the same way, and you don’t know why. People have to take that chance. I never worked with proper GEC channels until last year, and they loved it, so did the audience. You have to give somebody a chance, and then decide whether that person is capable or not,” she urges.
In fact, things get to such a point, that people around the ‘channel’s favourite’ begin to question their own talent and worth.
Panjabi says, “If you want to become big, you’ve to be the channel’s favourite, and in films, the producers’ favourite. These things have caused other artistes to go into depression. They suddenly feel worthless that ‘We’ve to wait for 10 hours, and we don’t even get much money because we aren’t the favourites’. They’re the ones who agree to compromise and take pay cuts also.”
Echoing Bohra’s sentiment that talent takes you far in the entertainment industry, Mahhi Vij concurs that some actors get better treatment than others. But she argues that it happens in other industries as well.
“If I’m not considered for a role, somebody else gets it, even if I auditioned for it to the T. That’s okay. They might get opportunities because of favouritism, but if it doesn’t connect with the audience, the show will get wrapped up. Favouritism ka achaar daaloge?,” she questions.
Sharad Malhotra calls for a level playing field for everyone, irrespective of them being an insider or outsider or their favourite status. “Maidaan dono ko same do, phir dekho kaun zyaada unchi chhalaang laga sakta hai. You can’t hinder someone’s chances, you can’t do something venomous or harmful to somebody to stop their growth. That’s not how we function. When someone calls me saying ‘aapke liye role nahi hai, aapka koi bhai ya dost hai’, I personally call up my friends or other people. Any kind of insecurity shouldn’t exist,” he opines.