Gone are the times when only filmi sitare would be minting big-time out of their lucrative career. Today is an era when even apne TV stars are laughing their way to the bank.

The Indian television industry has been enjoying heady days since the last three years and the major beneficiaries of this trend have been the TV actors. They have been making a moolah out of this profession in such a royal fashion that even Bollywood, just for dough-sake, doesn't tempt them anymore.

Is the television industry really more remunerative compared to other mediums of entertainment? Prashant Golecha enquires a few chote parde ke stars.

Manav Gohil:
The perks are definitely better. As a regular actor I can manage to make good money for my family to have a good lifestyle. Mumbai is an expensive city to live in. The standard of living is high. We actors live a good life but we don't have opulence as is perceived. For instance even if I want to buy a big bike, I will have to think and plan my finances. The TV industry is stable but if I have to make a mark in films I will have to struggle for years and it still won't guarantee returns. Daily soaps in that context do mean good money.

Maninee Misra :
I agree working on TV is everyday money. But it is bloody money which is not easy to come. For 12-14 hours you have to work really hard. Many a times you are doing the stuff you are not convinced about. If you are smart you can play around. Under cutting of the number of hours you are paid as per the shift is happening which is not required if you want the industry to be professional. Talent is being weighed by the time you give for a show rather than your equating it with one's craft.

Poonam Gulati :
It depends on how you perceive it. To a large extent it is true that TV industry does pay well. Initially it wasn't so but with progression things change, just as in any other career. Negotiations do happen with the success of a character, the show and on individual basis. Returns are definitely faster as compared to any other profession. But one need not invest much in this profession. There is no gestation period.

Rucha Gujrati :
Not just actors, the entertainment industry as a whole is well paid. But there is no pain without gain. The story behind an actor is unknown and people are just blinded by the glam factor. For me job and money satisfaction is what I get from acting. Initially TV was not that lucrative. But now even for an event inauguration, TV actors are paid the same dough as film stars, thanks to the tremendous growth in the TV industry. I presume in the next 2-3 years it will touch the sky.

Vishal Singh
I don't think that TV is very well paying as compared to other professions. It even outs with the period of time. The ratio of people here who make pots of money is limited. We have limited opportunities and we can't work beyond a limit. There is no constant graph and the growth is gradual. It's a highly unpredictable scenario. Other business avenues like consultant firms enable one to earn far more.