Sumit Kaul: With so many actors out of work, it’s a privilege if you as an actor are getting to face the camera

MUMBAI: Actor Sumit Kaul, who plays the role of Paresh Parmar in Mrinal Abhigyan Jha Productions’ (MAJ) Janani - AI Ki Kahani, says that the while shooting for a daily show is no easy feat, it is fun as well. He adds that things such as time off can be managed with the help of some advance planning. “While the show goes on, it’s definitely challenging to manage personal time with family. But, as professional actors, it is a compromise we have to make while trying to squeeze sometime out. Also, if you plan holidays in advance, it can be managed. I don’t like night shoots at all. My body clock gets totally disturbed and it requires double the amount of will power and effort to stay alert and perform when the entire body is calling for sleep,” he says.

Shooting in the summer is difficult as well, he says, “Summers are getting more gruelling every year. As long as one is shooting on an AC floor one is comfortable. But often one has to shoot outdoors and that can be draining especially if your costume requires you to wear multiple layers.” However, daily soaps also means constant work and constant income, so you can’t complain much, says the actor. “I think anyone who is working in the TV industry, and constantly complaining about it, is just being ungrateful. With so many actors out of work, it’s a privilege if you as an actor are getting to face the camera 15-20 days a month. A few tough days here and there are part of the work life in any profession. No point being a crybaby about it,” he says.

Meanwhile, he adds that while TV actors are not the first to be cast on other platforms, there are a few success stories as well. “While it is true that film industry doesn’t favour casting actors who have done TV for large parts in films or web shows, there are several examples of actors who have managed to crossover and do some amazing work in both formats. I can understand why many actors are concerned about the tag of being a TV actor and consequence it can have on their opportunity to do films,” he says. He adds, “The two big advantages of doing tv as an actor for me are, being able to regularly face the camera while practising your craft, and having a regular source of income.”