Does the small-screen tag still weigh down actors keen to make a transition to the big screen?
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 20, 2020)

Sushant Singh Rajput was the biggest TV-to-film success story in recent times. And his death has indeed brought a pall of gloom in the TV industry, especially to many who looked up to the actor’s phenomenal journey.

Actor Radhika Madan recalled how, when she was transitioning from television to movies, people always said, ‘Don’t do it’. “And I remember always giving them Sushant’s example. He made it look.. achievable. He inspired many actors like me,” she posted recently. Actors such as Mohit Raina and Karan Kundrra, too, shared how Rajput inspired many small-screen actors eyeing the big screen. But his death has raised questions on whether TV actors are whole-heartedly accepted in the film industry, despite the precedent of a certain Shah Rukh Khan.

Actor Hiten Tejwani, who has dabbled in both TV and films, with his last big-screen appearance in Kalank (2019), says in Bollywood, unlike in the West, some still believe in the demarcation of a TV actor and film actor. “But it is slowly going away. Casting TV actors does get a bit difficult as people have the thing of TV actors being over-exposed,” he says.

TV actor Manasi Parekh (below), who made her Bollywood debut with Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), feels stigmas around TV actors are long gone. “Whatever struggles he [Rajput] had, what he could or could not do, is his journey. We all loved him as an actor, he was extremely talented. It is unfortunate what happened. But we should let it be, not speculate,” she says.

Film trade analyst Atul Mohan feels talent is what matters at the end of the day and, in the recent past, there has been “a healthy influx of actors from the television world in films”.

Actor Rohan Mehra, who starred in the TV shows Bade Achhe Lagte Hain and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, besides a few films, says, “He [Rajput] was an inspiration; his death is a demotivation for sure. If your inspiration does this after achieving so much, what are we going to do?”

And actor Ragini Khanna, star of several hit TV projects and films such as Teen Thay Bhai (2011) and Gurgaon (2017), observes every industry is tough. “Films are not a step up and TV is not a step down. We should not look at it like that. As an actor when you are out there, who are you seeking acceptance from? The only acceptance an actor needs is from the audience,” she shares.

As Devon Ke Dev Mahadev returns to the tube as part of the lockdown line-up, Mohit Raina discusses how his reclusive nature is at odds with showbiz
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 31, 2020)

Five years after it was first telecast, Devon Ke Dev—Mahadev is returning to television as part of the lockdown line-up. The mythological series made Mohit Raina, who played the titular role, an overnight sensation. His popularity can be gauged from the fact that Priyanka Chopra's aunt had stated then that Mahadev would be the ideal partner for her niece.

Even as he has graduated to movies and web outings, Raina considers the television show the turning point of his career. "It got me noticed. I am thankful for the immense love I still receive from fans," he says.

While most actors would be flattered to have fans and paparazzi following their every move, in Raina's book, that may not be necessarily a good thing. Known to guard his privacy, the reticent actor prefers to stay away from the public glare. "That's my nature. I prefer not to be socially visible. I want to lead a normal life as far as possible. One can only talk about something when s/he has a project that is up for release, otherwise there is not much to say."

As an afterthought, he takes a good-humoured dig at his co-star as he quips, "I should be more out there and try to beat Jacqueline Fernandez who has over 40 million followers on Instagram."

The actor recently shared screen space with her in the Netflix film, Mrs Serial Killer. He recounts that when Mahadev was at its peak, producer Farah Khan had got her kids, Anya, Diva and Czar, to meet him as they loved the show. "Later, I connected with her at Punit Malhotra's birthday party. She invited me home for tea, and offered me the role of the cop."

Raina, whose recent digital outings include Bhaukaal and Kaafir, is keen to balance Bollywood with the web world. He has wrapped up Kunal Deshmukh's Shiddat: Journey Beyond Love. "It was slated to release in September, but with the turn of events, I don't know how things will play out."

After Batla House, Nikkhil Advani helms Konkona Sen Sharma-fronted web series based on Cama Hospital chapter of 26/11 attacks
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 5, 2019)

In August, filmmaker Nikkhil Advani had hinted that he was working on a web show based on the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai but refused to divulge further details. Now, mid-day has learnt that the director has quietly been filming the web series in the city over the past few months.

The eight-part series, titled Bombay Diaries, offers a fictionalised account of the terror attack that took place at the Cama Hospital. Advani has roped in an eclectic cast for the endeavour — Konkona Sen Sharma headlines the show, thus marking her foray into digital entertainment, and is joined by television actor Mohit Raina and Prassthanam actor Satyajeet Dubey.

A source reveals, "The show revolves around the hospital staff as they keep their patients safe in the face of peril. Under Nikkhil's supervision, the creative team researched extensively, digging out instances from real-life events and weaving them into the narrative. The actors too prepped for months before reporting to the set. Earlier titled Bombay Hospital, the show is in its last leg and will air on Amazon Prime Video early next year."

The author-screenplay writer reacts to reports, which claimed that Dia Mirza and Sahil Sangha’s break-up is linked to her separation from her husband, director Prakash Kovelmudi
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 3, 2019)

Two showbiz couples, Dia Mirza-Sahil Sangha, and Kanika Dhillon-Prakash Kovelamudi, announced their decision to separate on August 1. In the morning, actress Dia and her filmmaker-husband Sahil posted a statement on their individual social media accounts. The couple did not reveal the reason behind their decision, but urged everyone to respect their need for privacy. Later in the evening, author and screenplay writer Kanika and her husband Prakash, who directed the recently released Judgementall Hai Kya, also revealed that they had parted ways. Both the couple had tied the knot in 2014. Though Kanika and Prakash announced their decision on August 1, the couple revealed that they had parted ways two years ago.

Some reports claimed that the two couples’ separation could be linked to each other. The reports alleged that Sahil’s closeness with Kanika was cited as the reason for his break-up with Dia, who, in recent times, has reportedly grown close to her costar Mohit Raina.

However, when we reached out to Kanika, she said, “I have never met Dia or Sahil in my entire life. Just because two news pieces of separation come together, you can’t link the two! I just want to get back to work and not be bothered with this malicious rumour mongering.” When asked if she had reached out to Sahil or Dia to clear the air, Kanika said, “Why would I do that? I have never met them. I don’t even know them. I just want to focus on my work and not get into all this. Please let us get on with our individual lives.”

Reacting to the reports, Dia, on her social media handle, wrote, “This is to clarify and put to rest all kind of speculation that is being bandied about by a certain section of the media regarding my separation with Sahil. It is most unfortunate to see the level of irresponsibility exercised. What is even more unfortunate is that our colleagues’ names are being tarnished and maligned. As a woman, I will not stand for another woman’s name being used so irresponsibly to perpetuate a lie. There is absolutely no truth to the alleged reports and no third person is the reason for Sahil and me to part ways. We have requested the media to be graceful and allow us this time for some privacy. Really hope they can respect that (sic).”

We also reached out to Mohit Raina, who said, “The only thing I can say is that the article has no basis to it.”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; June 14, 2019)

Mohit Raina, who became a TV heart-throb with his chiselled physique after his outing as Shiva in the television serial Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev, made his big-screen debut earlier this year with Uri: The Surgical Strike. Now, the good-looking actor is set to foray onto the digital platform with ZEE5’s web series Kaafir, which is inspired by the true story of a Pakistani woman who crosses over to India with her little daughter, and gets imprisoned. Mohit plays a journalist who helps bring them justice. Here, he tells us about his digital debut, and why it took time to make the transition from TV to films...

Has life changed after Uri: The Surgical Strike?
Yes, I guess so. Filmmakers are looking at me differently. They approach me with various kinds of scripts, which they feel I will be able to do.

Why did it take so long for you to make the transition from TV to films?
That’s because on TV you have a lot of exposure on a regular basis. You need to disconnect and reconnect with the market because they are different platforms. TV’s demands are different from those of films. It took me some time to understand and relate to these demands and slowly, steadily make them (filmmakers) believe that I could portray some nice and different characters.

Now you are making your digital debut with Kaafir, which again has you portraying an intense character.
I had heard the story of Kaafir a while back and it was nothing close to the other subject (Uri). When Siddharth (P Malhotra, producer) approached me and narrated the script, I was looking forward to doing it because it would let me showcase different emotions. This is a story which was waiting to be told for more than 10 years. Bhavani Iyer, who is the writer, has been working on it for 13 years. I feel fortunate to be a part of it. This is more about human emotions and drama. I was sold in the first minute as to how could a person be so selfless and giving. He gave precious time and invested years of his life to bring a smile and happiness to somebody else who was a stranger.

You play a journalist in the series? Did you take any inspiration?
The profession is just the backdrop — he is a journalist and then he turns out to be a lawyer. What was important was the human journey and emotions.

Is shooting for a web series different from films and TV?
It’s absolutely different. Kaafir is an eight-episode series; but while shooting, you really don’t know which part is for which episode. You have to constantly be in sync with emotions. It’s not a start-to-finish schedule like a film where you shoot and join the dots. You have to be particular about your emotions and need to know the entire script.

How was the experience of shooting in Himachal?
It was good because we were shooting outdoors and we got a lot of time to devote to our work. Plus, we got to work in a natural environment. We used to shoot in a small town called Kalpa, which has a limited population. So, the locals were really helpful — we used to get home-cooked food. Conditions were tough, but they were workable. 

You are doing a romantic film Shiddat next..
Yes, I am looking forward to it. I will start shooting for it soon.

You have a great female fan following, but we didn’t see you doing any romantic show on TV. Why?
Because I got addicted to power on the small screen (he played Shiva in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Ashoka in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and Havildar Ishar Singh in Battle of Saragarhi) and enjoyed it too much. But now, it’s time to explore those options.

Are you taking a break from the small screen?
As of now, I am exploring different avenues. If something great comes my way, I will see.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 16, 2019)