Saumya Tandon, who began her acting journey with Aisa Des Hai Mera (2006) before making her Bollywood debut with Jab We Met (2007), is looking forward to the release of Dhurandhar. The actress returns to the big screen with this film after many years.

Speaking about her role, Saumya says, “I can’t reveal much about my character. It’s a small but serious role. I said yes because I’ve always wanted to work with director Aditya Dhar. Sometimes you take up projects simply because you want the opportunity to collaborate with the people involved. It was Mukesh Chhabra who called me and told me that the part is small but I should blindly do it. It's quite an intense part. I am looking different and people haven't seen me doing something like this before.”

What drew her to the film, she explains, is the cast. “I feel Ranveer Singh is the most powerful actor we have in the industry. He’s special and incredibly talented. Honestly, I was a little greedy to work with Akshaye Khanna as well. He has been reinventing himself, and it’s a pleasure to watch him perform. My biggest takeaway is that when you work with talented directors and actors, your own work automatically becomes better. You get inspired just by being around people with such skills.”

Recalling her debut in Jab We Met, Saumya says, “It feels like ages ago. I had met Imtiaz Ali for another project, but he called me for this one instead. I planned to hide behind this small character and learn the ropes. I did it simply because I loved Imtiaz and the way he narrated the story.”

She adds, “After Jab We Met, I got busy hosting on television, and then Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai happened. I never planned my career; I was an outsider and simply picked up things that came my way. Even then, I remained choosy, but I worked with what was available to me at the time.”

A newcomer back then, actor Saumya Tandon says, while her role — Roop — was short, her takeaways from the film were huge. “Jab We Met (2007) was a refreshing and iconic film that has aged beautifully. Even today, audience finds the film fresh and charming. Back then, there were elaborate romantic plots in Hindi films, but this one was a breath of fresh air. It is probably the best film of Kareena’s (Kapoor Khan; actor) and Imtiaz’s (Ali; filmmaker) careers,” the actor says.

The 37-year-old adds that there are only a handful of charming female characters in Indian cinema, and Geet (Khan’s character in the film) will always be remembered along with the female protagonists in films such as Mili (1975), Khubsoorat (1980) and Chameli (2003).

“Geet’s character stood out, and even today, appeals to audiences. The character as well as dialogues were fresh. Aditya (actor Shahid Kapoor’s character in the film), too, was so endearing. Jab We Met had a different dynamic that paved the way for newer directors and newer stories,” she says.

The actor adds that working with Khan and Kapoor was a learning experience for her. “I learnt so much about professionalism watching them work. Being on set with them was like a crash course for me. I also learnt how important grooming is for actresses,” Tandon ends.

The actress, who will mark her last day on the sets of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai tomorrow,talks to BT about her reasons to quit the show and her future plans
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; August 20, 2020)

Actress Saumya Tandon, who became popular as Gori Mem of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, has decided to bid adieu to the comedy show. In an exclusive chat with BT, she said, “Yes, I have decided to not renew my contract further. Tomorrow (August 21) is my last day of shoot. Finally, people can stop speculating whether I will continue on the show or not.”

So, what made her quit the show, that too, at a time when many actors are out of work? “Well, you can say that it’s an impractical decision to quit a stable job, that too, in an established show. But, I realised that being employed and earning a regular income was not exciting enough any more. I want to do projects, where there is scope for growth as an artiste. Having said that, it does not mean that Bhabi Ji... did not contribute to my growth, I had a beautiful journey on the show. However, I have played this character for five years now, and I don’t see myself doing it for another five years,” she replied.

There has been buzz for some time now that Saumya is planning to quit the show due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent pay cut. However, she refuted the rumours, saying, “Not continuing with Bhabi Ji... was not an impulsive decision. Yes, I was anxious after my hairdresser tested positive for Coronavirus, and did not want to put my mother and one-and-a-half-year-old son at risk. But, I have completed my notice period. My producers (Sanjay and Binaifer Kohli) were very cooperative. As far as pay cut is concerned, in these times, people have to accept that the economy has been hit. I am not leaving the show because of monetary reasons.”

About her future plans, she said, “I want to be part of well-written stories. People are writing good scripts on other platforms; even Bollywood is experimenting with good content. I will miss the team of Bhabi Ji..., but I have to push myself out of my comfort zone and take new risks in life.”

Television actors say that just like Bollywood, their industry too, is rampant with unfair practices
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 17, 2020)

After several voices spoke up against nepotism and favouritism being rampant in the Hindi film and music industry, it seems that even television has not been left untouched. We talk to a few popular names in the TV world, and what they reveal is rather surprising.

Actor Kamya Panjabi, 40, tells us that it’s practised quite openly, and many people have to suffer because of the preferential system. “It hasn’t happened with me, but I agree 100%, and I know about it. In a lot of places, it’s called being a channel’s favourite. A certain actor will continue to work even if he or she causes problems, shoots only for eight hours, or isn’t able to perform,” she says.

More actors join the debate and agree. Debina Bonnerjee, known for shows such as Ramayan and Chidiya Ghar, says that people need to take chances with actors, and not be limited in their choices.

“Sometimes, you give a very good audition, but certain channels don’t feel the same way, and you don’t know why. People have to take that chance. I never worked with proper GEC channels until last year, and they loved it, so did the audience. You have to give somebody a chance, and then decide whether that person is capable or not,” she urges.

In fact, things get to such a point, that people around the ‘channel’s favourite’ begin to question their own talent and worth.

Panjabi says, “If you want to become big, you’ve to be the channel’s favourite, and in films, the producers’ favourite. These things have caused other artistes to go into depression. They suddenly feel worthless that ‘We’ve to wait for 10 hours, and we don’t even get much money because we aren’t the favourites’. They’re the ones who agree to compromise and take pay cuts also.”

Being a ‘favourite’ can only take you so far, believes actor Karanvir Bohra. He admits favouritism exists, and he’s never been that person. “Thankfully, production houses believed in me as an actor, and my characters did well. You’ve to set your own standards also. I’ve been around for a long time, and channels’ favourites have come and gone. I saw it happen in 2006. Yes, we all feel it’s not fair, and bullsh*t. But you don’t sit and cry about it, nothing comes easy, you’ve to work hard and smart,” says the 37-year-old.

Saumya Tandon, who has been a part of showbiz since 2006, says that favouritism exists everywhere, including TV. But she adds that it’s not so pronounced as it’s in Bollywood. “That’s because the stakes aren’t that high. I still feel I’m not a TV insider because I hardly get into the politics of it, and I hardly party, or attend award functions unless I’m hosting. I feel the best feedback comes from people and it should translate into better work opportunities, everything else is useless.”

Echoing Bohra’s sentiment that talent takes you far in the entertainment industry, Mahhi Vij concurs that some actors get better treatment than others. But she argues that it happens in other industries as well.

“If I’m not considered for a role, somebody else gets it, even if I auditioned for it to the T. That’s okay. They might get opportunities because of favouritism, but if it doesn’t connect with the audience, the show will get wrapped up. Favouritism ka achaar daaloge?,” she questions.

Sharad Malhotra calls for a level playing field for everyone, irrespective of them being an insider or outsider or their favourite status. “Maidaan dono ko same do, phir dekho kaun zyaada unchi chhalaang laga sakta hai. You can’t hinder someone’s chances, you can’t do something venomous or harmful to somebody to stop their growth. That’s not how we function. When someone calls me saying ‘aapke liye role nahi hai, aapka koi bhai ya dost hai’, I personally call up my friends or other people. Any kind of insecurity shouldn’t exist,” he opines.

HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 9, 2020)

Recently, two TV show shoots were halted after a couple of unit members tested positive, even after precautions and guidelines being maintained. Now, we have learnt that actor Saumya Tandon’s hair-dresser, who was with the actor shooting for her popular sitcom, has tested positive for Coronavirus

The staff member was put under quarantine after the report turned out positive. Tandon, too, has gone on a break and will not be shooting for her sitcom for a few days. The producers, reportedly, wanted her to take care of her health. Tandon remained unavailable for comment.

Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 29, 2020)

The debate around discrimination on the basis of colour has been revived again, after two multinational companies announced their decision to drop the use of words such as ‘fair’ and ‘whitening’ from their beauty products. And actor Saumya Tandon is very happy.

“You can call someone fair or not fair, that is fine. People calling me ‘fair’ is not an abuse, neither am I apologetic about it. I just want to say every colour is beautiful. But unfortunately, the conditioning in our society is such that they associate the word ‘lovely’ with fair. That means, they feel only girls who are fair, are lovely, which is not the right notion,” she says.

However, Tandon, too, had to face a bias due to her fair complexion. “I lost out on a lot of work because they said ‘she is too fair’, and abroad, they perceive an Indian girl to be ‘brown’. It’s so stereotypical. They will not accept any other colour. No wonder that 99% Indian origin actors are shown as brown in projects abroad.” she says. In fact, she adds that recently, there was an international film, which she lost out on because another girl, who was not fair, got the part. Tandon adds that she would tell the casting directors in the West that India has people of all complexions.

“A lot of photographers like dark-skinned models because somehow, they feel they are more exotic, or they are going to be better for a saree or jewellery ad because Indian-ness, in their head, is brown. That is not fair to girls like us. What about girls from Kashmir, Punjab, they are fair, don’t you call them Indian?,” she asks.

On her comedy show Tandon, 35, is frequently called ‘gori mem’ (fair lady). Does she feel that, she too, at some point, is classified based on her skin colour? She says she doesn’t. “I don’t think of it as an abuse, as long as they are not saying we will prefer you because you are gori. This is how God made me,” she signs off.

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 7, 2020)

While the guidelines to restart shootings for film and TV shows have been released, there are a number of details to be figured out. Actor Saumya Tandon, who stars in a popular sitcom, has some tough questions.

“The guidelines say only 33% of a standard unit will be operational but I think everyone on set has to be tested for Coronavirus even if they don’t show symptoms. There is no such point recommended in the guidelines,” says Tandon, adding, “Our nature of work is such that we work in close intimacy as we have people who do our make up and hair, people who fix our mics or sari, shoot in close contact with co-stars, and so many other things unlike a regular office where people are in cubicles and can maintain distance.”

Tandon adds that she needs assurance that everyone is tested once shoots start. The actor points out that a number of her co-actors are happy to go back to work but while the guidelines are formed, we need to “have a monitoring agency to ensure they are followed”.

“The guidelines also say that everyone will be stationed where they are shooting. Moreover, we need to have a monitoring agency to ensure all the guidelines are followed by production houses. It will be up to the individuals to do their bit. Everyone is so desperate to get back to work as everyone is worried about their livelihoods that it can lead to lapses and carelessness. It is scary. The channel heads and creative teams won’t be on the sets while actors and unit members will be. So we have to take extra precautions,” she says.

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 28, 2020)

Actor Saumya Tandon is enjoying family time and honing her cooking skills, in the lockdown. “I am not a good cook but now, as I am handling the kitchen, I have made stuff I never thought I could. From ice cream to banoffee pie to biryani — I have surprised myself (laughs),” she says.

The actor, 35, however, is also worried about the long-term impact of the ongoing pandemic. She remarks that the “economy will be bad”, if we have long-lasting recession. “I am depressed seeing how things are going on. Small businesses will suffer more than others. It is unfortunate and scary. After the battle for life with Coronavirus, we will have to fight a battle for our livelihoods,” she explains.

Tandon doesn’t see entertainment avenues opening in the near future, “unless there is a miracle”. “Even if a vaccine is ready, people won’t be keen to go to restaurants or cinemas immediately. Concerts and film festivals will be affected for a longer period. Digital will be a boon but the tricky thing will be, ‘How do you shoot?’ It is impossible to keep hygiene on a set, even if they reduce the number of people,” she signs off.

Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 9, 2019)

Content is the ‘it’ word these days. Everyone from the world of showbiz is now stressing on the need of good material. But Indian television is a different ball game altogether with people criticising supernatural shows while they continue to garner big TRPs. Ask actor Saumya Tandon, who stars in a comedy show currently, about her take on TV being called backward, and she says, “Unfortunately, TV is very regressive. There are very few shows which are good. TV is catering now more to the rural areas and small towns with the younger audiences moving towards the web.”

However, the actor agrees that television remains the medium with the largest reach, much more than films and web. “The urban crowd has moved away from TV and there is very little to watch that’s appealing. They have better content available through films, international and digital platforms. In future, if TV doesn’t go through a revolution, it will end up catering to rural audiences only.”

Saumya, who’s been in showbiz for more than a decade now, says that industry insiders can see the change in viewership.“There is probably going to be a shakeout and money invested on TV will reduce. With internet getting cheap and available in rural areas, it will slowly become challenging for TV to sustain the numbers it has right now. The numbers, in fact, have been dwindling. It is going through a difficult phase. Very few shows have held water and are actually successful. Usually, shows come and go fast, and TRPs are dropping consistently,” says the actor.

Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 23, 2019)

Actor Hina Khan’s appearance at Cannes film festival earlier this year, and the subsequent comment by a media personality (which people took to be derogatory) stoked a big debate: are TV actors in India given the same respect as film actors?

While some chose to remain diplomatic, Saumya Tandon, who has been a popular name on the small screen, doesn’t mince words when we ask her if there is some sort of heirarchy. “Sorry to say, but all actors of TV are not really actors. There are very few times when TV actors actually get opportunities to showcase their talent. There are a handful who could be considered real, serious thinking actors,” says the 34-year old, who is currently seen in a comedy show.

But Saumya emphasises on the lack of good roles on TV. “Unfortunately, even for thinking actors, there are very little opportunities. If you say they are respected less, it’s because of the kind of content we are working on, and the talent we have. Everybody on TV cannot be called a serious actor. Probably at some level it’s true, and maybe rightly so,” she says.

Sometimes, the content of some TV shows also comes under the scanner, and are termed ‘regressive’ or ‘illogical’. On this, Saumya says, “Content on TV is very regressive. There are very few shows which are good on TV. It is very challenging to be on TV and feel creatively satisfied, that’s a reality. Content is the king now, and what has happened is that lots of urban and younger audiences have stopped watching TV and moved on to web platforms.”