BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD TELEVISION MUSIC WILL DO ONLY POWERFUL MOVIE ROLES: SAUMYA
Television actor Saumya Tandon talks about what will lure her back to the silver screen
She might be a popular television figure now, but to many, actor Saumya Tandon (left) is still known as Roop from the film Jab We Met (2007). At a time when TV actors aspire to progress to films, she has set certain conditions for her return to the silver screen.
“Today small-budget films with strong content are doing so well. This proves that content is the king. Even today I won’t do any movie unless there is a powerful role,” says Tandon.
On why she was attracted to television despite her good start at films she says, “The first season of Dance India Dance came to me at a time when there was a lack of good movie offers and this really got my interest. I didn’t want to just take up any role in films. Movies then were only about big-budgets. The content overall wasn’t as good,” says the actor, who started her television career with TV show Aisa Des Hai Mera, where she played the character of Rusty Deol, in 2006.
Her current show depicts two men who are attracted to each other’s wives. Was it a risk for her to accept a project with such a storyline?
“To be honest, I initially refused the show 15 times. The makers had to chase me for 9 months before I finally agreed. If you look at a synopsis of our show, it is just a story about 2 men attracted to each other’s wives. But the writing is so fresh and the characterisation so good, that it elevates the show. It’s very slice-of-life. People even say that it reminds them of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s style of films,” she says.
It was a warm and sentimental moment when cricketer, Yuvraj Singh (above) visited the cancer affected children at the St. Jude India ChildCare centre in Mumbai recently. Spreading Christmas joy and cheer, Yuvraj spent quality time with the children in an interactive session followed by special gifts from his fashion label, YWC.
The children were thrilled to see him, and said they will always cherish these memories.
Yuvraj said, “While we all rejoice this festive season, let us remember to also give back in our own way. My biggest aim in life is to support cancer patients, and these little children at St. Jude ChildCare have really stolen my heart today. Their resilience and positivity sets an example for all of us to never give up and to keep spreading love and smiles along the way. I am thankful for the time I could spend with them and pray for their speedy recovery.”
He left with a solemn prayer for health, peace and love to the young ones this Christmas.
At the peak of his career in 2011, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer, which he fought successfully. After his experience, his main goal has been to give back and support cancer patients as well as spread awareness about Cancer via his foundation – YouWeCan.
YouWeCan foundation was established by Yuvraj Singh to fight cancer by spreading awareness about the disease. The foundation endeavours to help cancer patients and survivors get access to the right treatment and also supports them in creating a better life for themselves without having to live in the shackles of the disease.
One of the main focuses is to educate masses so that nobody fights cancer alone, and towards creating awareness and eradicating socio-psychological stigma attached with cancer. They also provide education to underprivileged children who have survived cancer.