When Shubhangi had to choose TV over web
Working as a lead in a hit daily soap has its own advantages, but it comes with a set of drawbacks too. Actors may find it difficult to sign up multiple projects or experiment with different roles. Shubhangi Atre found herself in a similar dilemma when she was approached for a web series, and had to turn it down due to commitment issues.
“I was offered a web series for which I had to go to South Africa for 15-20 days. It was a great opportunity but I could not take it up due to the commitment to my ongoing show. I couldn’t get leave for a week or more so I had to leave it,” she says.
The 38-year-old, who has been working on her TV show from the past three years, is keen to venture into the digital space, but feels that committing to daily soaps is like marriage. “You are married to the show and you have to give your 100%. Getting an off from shooting for a week is itself a big thing.
Even for a family function, I can only go for a day or two,” she says.
While some actors quit daily soaps for films or web series, Shubhangi opines, “Till the time you are happy with what you are doing on TV, you should not think of a change because it is very rare to get good projects. I have done so many shows in these 14 years, but it is only in the past five years that I’ve got such interesting parts to play.”
The actor has made a conscious decision to only take up projects which are better than her previous ones.
“I don’t want to do a daily soap where a woman keeps crying all the time. I have done that in my previous shows but now, I would like to do a web series or a finite series on an interesting subject. Shows allow you to experiment with your roles and don’t let you feel monotonous,” she concludes.