The lambi race ka ghoda

TV is an intriguing medium. Shows can go on for years and audiences may not even experience any fatigue watching it. In fact such shows become a habit and when they go off air audiences get upset and cry for more. The much needed twists and turns continue to attract audiences thereby keeping the grip on the show. But credit is due even to the actors of such shows as they keep re-inventing themselves and their craft in such a way that their fans continue to love them. Very often you see the same actor on your fave show for years on end regardless of the leaps that happen. So what is it that keeps them going? Isn’t it tedious and boring to be doing the same thing for years? Some actors I spoke to confess that after a point it is nothing but a job. It’s all about keeping the home fires burning. And moreover since the pay packet is exciting there is a sense of security since it also takes care of the house loan, car loan, etc. To add to that a fixed income is very comforting in a profession like acting. A few others who have acted in long running soaps say that they try and re-invent themselves, accept the challenge and add a new dimension to their role by asking the creatives to concentrate on their roles and create such situations that would enhance their role. Hence for any actor the going does get tough when the show keeps going for too long. The great thing about acting on a hit television show is how long you can stay in, and how much you can be a part of peoples' lives. People love their shows. Whether they are tasteless or thought-provoking dramas, we get hooked on them and look forward to watching them every week. Actors who perform in a television series often appear on camera with little preparation time, because scripts tend to be revised frequently or even written moments before the shot. And keeping in mind such handicaps when an actor who has given his best for years on the same daily show he indeed needs to be congratulated. In fact, forget actors even long sitting judges on reality shows can get uninteresting and boring to watch day in and out. All of us have seen Archana Puran Singh as a sitting judge on the Comedy circus (Sony) since the show began way back in 2007. Initially her throaty laugh was infectious just like that of Navjot Singh’s on Laughter Challenge (Star One). But as seasons went by audiences tired of it. So it’s about time not only she but many other such long sitting judges do something different or may be just look different. Re- inventing one’s craft is very important for any entertainer. And when talking of actors who have pushed the envelope the first name that comes to mind is Deven Bhojani. The actor who is remembered as Gattu in Baa Bahu Aur Baby was loved for that role. Definitely not an easy role to portray Deven did a brilliant job and never let any monotony creep in. After the show ended he was not seen in any show for a long time. But when he did return it was with yet another challenge, Mrs Tendulkar where he plays a house husband. Though this role can’t be bracketed with that of long going ones as the show has just begun the actor deserves applause for the freshness he brings to his characters even after playing the same character for years. Then there is Kavita Kaushik on FIR (SAB). She has been playing Chandramukhi Chautala for over 5 years. And night after night in episode after episode the actress does not disappoint. And neither do her two constables Gopinath Gangotra (Gopi Bhalla) and Gulgule (Kiku Sharda) who rise above the demands of the script and make you laugh till you fall off the chair. And since they don’t get bored of doing what they have been doing since so long their fans too don’t tire of seeing them. But sadly one can’t say that of Disha Vakani (Daya) of Taarak Mehta. The talented actress did a brilliant job when the show began but as years went by one has seen her stagnate. Even the audience has been tiring of her screeches and her nasal twang. The talent that one saw in the initial episodes has begun to fade. Though one cannot say the same for Dilip Joshi (Jethalal) who plays her husband on the show. The brilliant actor that he is displays talent that is unmatched. Superb comic timing and great expressions make him a delight to watch. He has always risen above the demands of the script. Probably the reason why many an actor is bumped off in a show is because he fails to raise the bar. I am sure audiences will recall the popularity of Avika Gor (Anandi) in Balika Vadhu. Not only did the child actor show how talented she was she also continued to show a different side of her talent with each passing episode. And this is no mean task considering the fact that the show has been going on for so many years. Hence when the leap was planned and Pratyusha Banerjee was taken on to play the older Anandi a lot of doubts were raised whether she would fill the void left behind by Avika. In fact Jagya who played her husband could not match up to her talent and when he was eased out not many of the show’s fans shed a tear for him. Sure there are scores of other such actors who have outdone themselves. But a lambi race ka ghoda is one who displays his versatility despite playing the same role for years. It is this versatility that will set him apart from the rest. Most viewers don’t even know the real names of the actors. Unlike cinema, there is no craze about their personal lives either. Viewers are more interested in the character they play. An actress who played a vamp for two years said in an interview that she did everything there was to do. Kill people, make the lead pair’s lives miserable…Thankfully then she discovered her passion for photography and painting. So branching out, doing new things and travelling has helped her remain grounded. The higher you go, the more sorted you need to be she says. And this helped her add a new dimension to her talent and she was able to convincingly play the role year after year. Nothing can be closer to the truth that in order to survive on the small screen you need to do a lot more than your call of duty so that not only do you remain in public memory you continue to enjoy what you are doing. P.S. The names of actors used in this column are for representational purposes only. There are many more such gifted actors who have been regaling audiences since the time television came into being. Read more...