HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AT 92
Having been in the industry for 12 years now, actor Dheeraj Dhoopar says he has had quite the journey, learnt a lot and got the best of everything. “I am happy to be a part of the TV industry as it was my dream to be an actor. Each show and character has helped me grow as a professional. Sasural Simar Ka (SSK) made me a household name and my current show, which has been on air for four years, has made me a star. I have been delivering the number one show on Indian TV for 10 years and all this was possible due to the team, the creators, producers, directors, co-stars and the characters I’ve played. I am thankful, grateful and blessed,” he says.
Dhoopar admits he is practical when it comes to his characters even though his shows go on for years. “I played a father in SSK but I didn’t age on screen, so I wasn’t concerned about the role or how it looked. Later, I got a chance to play a flamboyant, young cricketer. An actor’s job is to play different roles and do it convincingly,” he says.
Ask him about the debate about regressive content on TV and he admits that it needs to improve. “We are always working towards it. Sometimes you show great content but the ratings are low. TV shows are a business at the end of the day. We have to cater to our audiences. Imagine, I have done Naagin 5 ,a fantasy show and later a family drama. Sure, I am not satisfied but I am content with the growth of my career,” he explains.
Talking about the reach of TV and popularity of actors on the tube, he says, “TV actors have a great connect with audiences which OTT stars don’t and yet I haven’t seen much of TV actors on OTT platforms. Transitioning from TV to any other medium is not easy and I wonder why? Why are OTT stars celebrated but not TV stars? I want to be a part of a good project on OTT but not just any as I am at the top of my game in TV.”
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