Better to seize the day (on the telly) than wait for a film role

Namit Khanna is a popular name in the modelling circuit. And after 10 years in the fashion industry, he has turned his attention to the small screen.

Namit, who recently made his television debut, says that he took up the show rather than wait for films to happen, as he wanted to make the most of the opportunity available.

“TV has a bigger reach than films. And for me, it’s a gamble in both films and TV,” says Namit. “I’m not going to get a five-film deal with a bigger production house… for which I was also considered, but someone else’s son got the part. Who am I to them?”

Films, for a newcomer, are an even bigger gamble than television, believes Namit. “You work for three months [for a film shoot] and it boils down to how the film does at the box office; and if it doesn’t [do well], then it’s all gone. It’s better to have a 10-month opportunity on TV. With that experience, people will also know that I’ve done some work,” he says.

Namit has done a film, which was never released, as well as a web series, titled Twisted. During his modelling days, he’d get a lot of offers from TV, but at that time, he wasn’t sold on the idea. “I’m not a person who watches TV or has any connect with Indian television. But in the past couple of years, ever since I wanted to focus on acting, I realised that it was high time I was seen,” he says. “Unless I’m seen, things are not going to happen.”

So, Namit first focused on polishing his acting and acquiring more skills. He did theatre and also joined the Jeff Goldberg Studio. “It’s of utmost importance to me,” he says, “to portray myself as a performer, as an actor, as opposed to just a face, which is what usually happens. I’m hired as a professional actor, so if I don’t bring in the skills, then I’m not doing my job.”

I’m not going to get a fivefilm deal with a bigger production house… for which I was also considered, but someone else’s son got the part. Who am I to them? NAMIT KHANNA ACTOR