Not everyone is a Shahrukh

Courtesy: IndiaFM
Thursday, March 02, 2006

If you think television is an easy platform and an added advantage to enter Bollywood then guess again. There are quite a few budding actors from the television industry who aspired to be a part of Bollywood and have failed to make it big despite a lot of hoopla.

Probably the only actor from television to strike gold is none other than Shahrukh Khan.

R. Madhavan who started his career in television serials like Banegi Apani Baat, Tol Mol Ke Bol, Ghar Jamai, Sea Hawks and Saaya managed to bag movies in the South. Being a successful star out there he landed in Bollywood with his first movie Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein. He went onto do Dil Vil Pyar Vyar and Ramji Londonwaley, all of which bombed at the box-office. And so he shifted back to television with a show called 'Deal Ya No Deal'. But his second innings again was not that successful with Mandira Bedi replacing him as the host. He was seen doing a cameo in Rang de Basanti where his performance was appreciated but nothing that could actually salvage his soaring career.

One of the most prime examples of a TV actor's career going kaput in films is that of Amar Upadhyay. He started out with a serial like Dekh Bhai Dekh and the whole nation was shattered when his character of Mihir Virani was killed of in Kyunkii Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Everybody wanted him back and so he did. When he was on a high, he decided to shift his attention to the golden screen where he was seen (or not seen) in failures like Dhund -The Fog, LOC, Jodi Kya Banaye Wah Wah Ramji. Let's forget some of the really crappy films he made before his KSBKBT days. He made a wise decision and is back towards television in serials like Saathiya and Desh Mein Nikla Hoga Chand.

Actor Rahul Bhatt from serial Heena made his debut in Yeh Mohabbat Hai. Though his performance was commendable, it did not lead the producers to his doorsteps. Ghaav - The Wound and a double role in Nayee Padosan slumped his career further in the dumps.

Mandira Bedi began with the most popular daily soap Shanti, tried her hands in films through the blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge where she hardly got noticed in front of stalwarts like Shahrukh and Kajol. She made a comeback in her husband Raj Kaushal's Shaadi Ke Laddoo. But she couldn't receive that popularity which she has achieved as an anchor.

Aman Verma was probably the busiest star on television when he shifted his focus towards tinsel town. Though he had acted in a couple of movies before his rise to stardom, he actually was seen in Andaaz where he played a cameo. Then came his disaster Koi Hai where he played the lead. It was heard that for one show in Pune only one person was present. Baghban, Tum and Dosti followed. After that he made a conscious shift back to television with a few more shows and the sting operation scandal.

Another big name in television, Sarkar fame Rohit Roy, who started his career by a much popular daily soap Swabhimaan, also tried his hands in films. He had a series of small film but his big break came in Plan. Sadly, the film too failed to register an impact. Rohit was not the only one who picked up after Swabhimaan but Manoj Bajpai and Ashutosh Rana kicked of with the serial, as well. Manoj Bajpai kept quite low profile in his brief career span in films and is back to the television circuit as the host of 'Kam Ya Zyada' on Zee TV. Meanwhile Ashutosh gave a few remarkable performances in Dushmani and Sangarsh but is still struggling to find a foothold in the film industry.

Ekta Kapoor's patronage Natassha who began her journey with Kabhi Sautan Kabhi Saheli landed in films like Kuch To Hai, Yeh Dil, Krishna Cottage and the recent Koi Aap Sa. All her films bombed at the box office. After trying her luck in films the actress is back in Ekta's popular tele-soap Kkavyanjali.

Actress Sandali Sinha is one more to add to the list. Featuring in Zee TV's Tanha and Muskaan, she won appreciation for her debut movie Tum Bin but failed to continue her magic as she completely went unnoticed in Pinjar, Om, Ab Tumhar Hawale Watan Saathiyo and Nigebaan. Gracy Singh is one lucky television actress, who received a perfect start with Lagaan and Munnabhai MBBS but failed to sustain her success.

Off course, now TV's popular Sajid Khan too tried his luck in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kate where he turned out to be more irritating than funny. Now he has directed one of the episodes of Darna Zaroori Hai and will start on Hey Baby.

And now for a long list of VJs who have made it to the filmi circuit.

Cyrus Broacha - Chupke Se.
Purab Kohli - Bas Yun Hi, Supari, Vaastu Shastra.
Sophie - Shaadi No. 1.
Malaika Arora - The Hero, Kaante, Maa Tujhhe, Salaam, Indian, Bichhoo, Dil Se.
Amrita Arora - Fight Club,Rakht, Shart,Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Girlfriend, Zameen, Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, Awara Paagal Deewana, Kitne Door Kitne Paas.
Cyrus Sahukar - Om Jai Jagdish, Rang de Basanti.
Ramona - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.
Ranvir Shourie - Ek Choti Si Love Story, Freaky Chakra, Lakshya, Mixed Doubles.
Maria Goretti - Salaam Namaste, Raghu Romeo, Waisa Bhi Hota Hai: Part 2.
Anusha - Viruddh.
Sophiya Haque - Snip, Indian.

We all have a lesson to learn over here. You may be a big shot on the small screen, but even the best fail to produce results in times of change. Not everybody is a Shahrukh Khan.