Small screen, huge acclaim

Before television, there was entertainment. From the big screen which ruled the roost to public performances like theatre and plays, entertainment was more grassroot. However, with television expanding so quickly, it has changed the game and also the fate of actors by giving them an extended life when compared to bigger entertainment modes. While male lead actors continue to hold on to heroic roles in a male dominated industry, it is the female actress who faces a series of challenges for longevity on the big screen. Now, the huge popularity of the small screen has changed the scenario where age and other criteria are hardly considered deterrents for real talent. Bengaluru Chronicle reports.

While the popularity of actors on the small screen is instant, and lasts for long, movie stars have to work hard for ratings and stardom. Senior actress Sujatha Akshaya, who has been working in the TV industry for more than a decade feels that it is the personal connect with the audience which is the biggest advantage for an actor working in television.

“The shelf life of an actress working in television lasts long, today. In fact, it is as long as one can work. There is hardly any specific criteria imposed on TV actors, be it male or female. It is the talent which works in the favour of the artiste. But in movies, it is a different ball game. We as TV actors, are a part of every household and they follow our work. But for film stars, it is the audience who has to go to theatres to see their work,” she says.

She also feels that the ‘recall value’ of television artists is greater. “The audience remembers us for a longer time, which is a rarity in films,” she adds.

Movie star, Sangeetha Bhat of the Eradane Sala fame feels that the silver screen and small screen are the same in one way, as the shelf life is lesser for both males and females these days.

“But this might not be true for people who have been part of very successful projects. So it all depends on the outcome of their project. Bad/average performers of great projects are remembered, and go on to do quite a few projects but some great performances in unsuccessful projects are unnoticed — that’s where the great actor’s shelf life ends,” Sangeetha adds.

Apart from instant recognition, television has lots of other benefits for an actress, feels Meghashree, who has worked in both television and movies. Her recent movie Krishna Tulasi was a success and her small role in Naga Kannike was much appreciated too.

“Earlier, the so-called shelf life of an actress in movies was at least a decade or a little more, but it has come down to five years, dependent upon hard work and luck. While an actress in TV gets instantly recognised irrespective of the roles she portrays, a movie actor has to work very hard for the same. Even the kind of stories and roles are more flexible which helps a TV artiste,” she signs off.