Though a lot many actors are bidding adieu to the small screen in favour of 70mm there are many who have not succumbed to the lure of the big screen. Whereas some are effectively straddling both the worlds. So what is it that attracts an actor to a particular medium?

Tellychakkar chats up with some of our finest actors who have experimented with both the mediums to know which of the two mediums brings them greater joy and satisfaction.

Kirron Kher

As far as acting is concerned I prefer films over television because in serials an actor is not the focus and there is not much of quality work. In movies actors are an important element. The chat shows on TV are very interesting though. I would prefer doing chat shows on television even over films. But I wouldn’t prefer acting on television over movies. Hence for the pure pleasure of acting movies are more creatively satisfying.

Renuka Shahane

I am among the lucky ones who started working on TV in the time of Doordarshan. At that time television was a very interesting medium. There was more substance in the shows but now days I am not happy with the kind of work that goes on television.

So I would say that I used to prefer working in television of the earlier days but at the moment I prefer films over television. Also the disadvantage of working in television is if you are out of sight you are out of mind unless and until the show is very popular but with films you can always be remembered. Fortunately for me I am still remembered for shows like Antakshari and Surbhi because that time was different altogether. At the same time TV is creatively satisfying and requires more work whereas work in television goes in a very relaxed way which I find boring.

Deepshikha

I definitely prefer films over television. Each medium has its own limitations and advantages but I prefer films. Of course you are offered better roles in serials than films but television is very hectic, very tiring and mundane. If I am not satisfied with a particular scene of mine on television, I don’t get a chance to do a retake because of lack of time.

In films you can rehearse, try and experiment different things but in case of television where you are doing daily shows where is the time and even the excitement to do something better? For example, my recent film Pranali, where I play the role of a prostitute, flopped, but I got recognition for it whereas in television it is hard to get recognition no matter how much effort you put in.

Farooq Shaikh

I like television, films as well as theatre. I am in love with all the three mediums of acting and that is why I am doing all of them. But if I have to name one, I will opt for films because it is more challenging in terms that an actor has to be true to the emotions that he is playing. He can’t cheat. For instance, on TV and stage if you don’t have the right expressions, the audience will not come to know but in films the chances of cheating reduces.

The big screen has its own different charm altogether. If you go wrong, it shows and it gets tapped, so the actor has to be very good in his job. In TV serials, an actor can at times make mistakes and get away with it without being noticed but that is not the case with movies. It is not that we don’t cheat with our act on films but we have to be careful.

Ayub Khan

I prefer both the mediums. They are equally fantastic. I just can’t make a choice and I don’t even want to make a choice. Television has a large reach and the exposure is great. With new genres coming into films, there are amazing films made these days. But both of them have their own disadvantages. There are pros and cons for everything. Cinema is an expensive medium in terms that it requires a big budget and television does the same thing of entertaining viewers with a small budget. So I can’t say that this is better or that is better.