‘Television actors are not taken seriously’
Every actor wants to be part of films and Sanjeeda Shaikh is no different. After working in television for 14 years, the actor is now venturing into Bollywood. Though she did star in Shoojit Sircar’s film Shoebite, it never released. Now, she is looking forward to Bejoy Nambiar’s, Taish, for which she shot in London, UK, recently.
“It is fabulous to work with a director who can guide you well. I am thrilled that this is my debut Hindi film. Shoebite had its destiny, and now this film has happened at the right time. I have been acting on TV for years, but I think, no one took me seriously. Now, I feel my time has come. Hopefully, after this film, people will take me seriously,” expects Sanjeeda, who enjoyed doing workshops for the film.
Though her peers and friends were making headway in films, Sanjeeda says she never felt “left out or wanting”. “As an actor, there is a hunger in me to do more, especially after being in the industry for so long. I was thinking what’s next but God has been kind to give me this opportunity. Things happen for a reason, I feel. I was shooting for a Punjabi film before zooming off to London. When I see others from the TV industry, doing well in life in films or on web, I feel happy, as it means there is scope for others to get noticed as well. That is because TV actors are not usually taken seriously,” she says, adding, “I understand why, because actors are seen on TV daily and filmmakers might wonder if the overexposed actor will work in a film role. But I am happy that today, there are so many actors who have shifted from TV and done so well in films. Their journey is inspiring. I am happy to be doing some great work,” she concludes.