Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 14: Actor Chetan Hansraj has expressed his strong disapproval following fellow actor Rohit Roy's controversial statement calling television a 'dustbin medium' and alleging that small-screen actors lack class compared to film stars.
Speaking to IANS, Chetan, who made his television debut as a child artist playing young Balram in B.R. Chopra's iconic Mahabharat, defended the television industry while identifying himself as someone who has carried himself with grace throughout his career.
"Rohit is a good friend of mine, but honestly, I don't know where this is coming from. TV is not a dustbin medium. Yes, it has stalled in terms of creativity and progress, the stories are the same and not moving forward, and that is why it is declining," Chetan stated.
He further added: "Producers and TV channels are to be blamed because they are not experimenting with new content, even though the market is ready for it. So it is definitely not a dustbin medium, because millions of people are still watching it."
Addressing Rohit's comments regarding the conduct and class of television actors, Chetan countered that odd behavior exists in every field. "There are odd ones out in every profession. There are some actors who will behave weirdly and try anything to become popular. I don't know what his experience has been lately, but I don't think I have experienced anything like that regularly. I think there are a lot of TV actors who handle themselves with grace. I am a TV actor and I have carried myself with grace all my life."
He continued: "Of course, as different generations of actors come in, there will be some people who act crazy just to become popular. I mean, it's a part of life. It's not like the movie industry is filled with only decent people, far from it."
Asserting that television actors often possess superior performing skills due to the demanding nature of the medium, Chetan noted: "I would definitely tell you one thing for sure—TV actors are far superior to actors who work in films and other mediums, because if you give a TV actor and a movie actor the same lines, the TV actor will nail it."
"I am not going to take sides, but I have experienced all sides of this industry and there is nothing like TV actors are lesser and movie actors are more. Of course, movies have big budgets for PR, so a movie actor is getting that PR. It's not like he is getting it on his own, that is what people need to understand," Chetan explained, while maintaining that Rohit remains a long-time friend despite their difference of opinion.
Chetan Hansraj has built a prolific career on television with popular shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kkusum, Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, and Jodha Akbar, alongside feature film appearances in Bodyguard and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara. He is currently preparing for his role in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming magnum opus Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi.