For a lot of actors on the small screen, TV shows form a stepping stone towards the bigger playing field — Bollywood. Names like Shah Rukh Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana and Sushant Singh Rajput act as role models for these actors. However, there are those who’ve gone the other way — they started off with films and then moved to TV soaps. While the likes of Ronit Roy have garnered immense popularity and fame by essaying good roles on films and TV alike, there are others who have just stepped into the world of serials
hoping to make it big there. Let’s take a look.
Ruslaan Mumtaz
Earlier films: MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (2007), Teree Sang (2009), Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai (2010)
TV roles: To be seen in Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara (to air from August).
Upcoming projects: Working on a film, Romeo Idiot Jattani Juliet.
Reason for the switch: 'The time between signing a film and its release is usually more than a year. On TV, the audience’s reaction is faster. Many of my friends are TV stars and their fame inspired me for the switch. Moreover, the channel, production house, and co-actor Sangeeta Ghosh, were the reasons for my switch,' says Ruslaan.
Nakuul Mehta
Earlier films: Haal-E-Dil (2008).
TV roles: Aditya Kumar in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara.
Upcoming projects: Has been playing a gay character in an English play, titled Cock.
Reason for the switch: 'I see myself as an artiste, who’d like to dabble in all mediums — theatre, film and TV. I chose to work on a TV project because of the huge audience one gets. It was the character and the story that attracted me. It didn’t matter if it released in a theatre or on TV as long as it gave me a chance to reach out to a wide audience, which is precisely what my show, Pyar Ka Dard Hai... has given me,' says Nakuul.
Ronit Roy
Earlier films: Jaan Tere Naam (1992), Army (1996), among others.
TV roles: Rishabh Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Mihir in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Currently, he plays lawyer KD Pathak in Adaalat.
Upcoming projects: Will be seen in a villainous role in Naam Hai Boss, co-starring Akshay Kumar. He is part of Anurag Kashyap’s Ugly too.
Reason for the switch: 'I didn’t make any switch. As I was an out-of-work actor, when I got a job on television, I took it. No big deal here,' says Ronit.
Vatsal Seth
Earlier films: Taarzan: The Wonder Car (2004), Heroes (2008), Paying Guests (2009), Toh Baat Pakki (2010), Hostel (2011).
TV roles: To be seen in Daag (yet to air).
Upcoming projects: Will be seen in Mental (2014), which stars Salman Khan.
Reason for the switch: 'There have been many good offers from TV that have come my way. I am pondering on three of them and will be finalising on them soon. I did Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa as I had stage fright and wanted to overcome it,' says Vatsal.