Dheeraj Dhoopar wants respect for television actors

Dheeraj Dhoopar is riding high on success. His ongoing Ekta Kapoor produced TV show is getting good ratings and his popularity has soared since his last TV show, Sasuraal Simar Ka. But the actor, who has been acting in various TV shows since 2009, opposes the labels given to actors who work in daily soaps.

He says, “I wonder why people tag us as TV actors. The west doesn’t label actors as film or TV actors. We are inspired by a lot of things from the West, so why not this as well. Actors there are not looked down upon irrespective of the medium. People there know the actors by their names and for the work they do. TV is a huge medium. I want respect for actors who work on TV.”

Dheeraj also wants to try his hand at movies, but he feels there is a certain bias in the film industry against actors on TV. He says, “TV actors work harder than actors in films. I shoot 25-27 days a month for 12 hours, with additional two hours of travel. I am left with one or two hours for myself before I sleep. I have to maintain myself, so working out takes up that time. I don’t have time to breathe as this is my routine for 27 days a month. Whereas in films, actors get time to prepare and they usually shoot 2-3 scenes a day while I shoot 8-10 scenes on average every day,” reasons Dheeraj, however, at the same time adding, “I’m not discrediting film actors but hope to bring attention to the fact that one shouldn’t do the same with actors on TV, which happens at events.”

The quality of the content on TV has always been a topic of debate, but Dheeraj asserts that producers are now trying to better themselves with each show. “We cater to audiences who are watching us. We are doing a great job and the industry has churned huge numbers revenue-wise. We’ve brilliant talent from directors to cinematographers, editors to actors. We have shows using mind-blowing world-class VFX too. Many people have got huge opportunities on TV and I just want some respect for the medium.”

I wonder why people tag us as TV actors. In the West, they don’t label actors. Actors are not looked down upon irrespective of the medium. DHEERAJ DHOOPAR ACTOR

Dheeraj Dhoopar