“TV Still Has The Maximum Reach, Even In the Deepest Corners Of India,” Says Sayantani Ghosh

Actress Sayantani Ghosh, who is part of Rahul Kumar Tewary's new Zee TV show Jagadhatri, looks back at her childhood memories of television with deep fondness and a sense of nostalgia. "My earliest memory of television goes back to watching Ramayan as a kid. We didn't have many channels, just Doordarshan, and the entire street in Kolkata would fall silent when the show aired. Everyone would be at home watching it. It was a ritual for the whole neighbourhood," she recalls.

Sayantani says she has witnessed television evolve over the last two decades of her career. For her, the medium mirrors the changing mindset of society. "Change is the biggest constant, and TV has evolved technically, creatively and in its scale. TV is like a mini society in itself - whatever the collective mood or thought process is, reflects in the kind of shows being made," she says, adding that OTT has added variety to storytelling but hasn't diminished the power of TV.

"People keep talking about the digital boom and say TV is losing relevance, but I've been in this industry for 20 years and I don't agree. TV still has the maximum reach, even in the deepest corners of India. Every big film still chooses TV for promotions because it connects to the masses," Sayantani explains. According to her, OTT may be growing, but its market remains targeted, while TV continues to be the true mass medium.

Talking about shorter show timelines and the changing viewing habits post-pandemic, the actress believes patience is the issue. "As human beings, our patience levels have gone down. We want everything instantly - whether it's food delivery or 15-second reels. That's why shows are being pulled off air in 3-4 months. But the emotional connect with TV hasn't gone down. It's just that not every story can be told at super-fast speed," she says.

If she could bring back an era of television, Sayantani chooses her favourite phase as a young viewer. "When Hindi GEC channels first came in, there were shows like Banegi Apni Baat, Hip Hip Hurray!, Snakes and Ladders, Antakshari... The content was so honest, so close to life. There was innocence, simplicity, and a no unnecessary
glamourised packaging. I would love for that era to return - I'd love to be part of shows like those," she shares.

As she gears up for Jagadhatri, Sayantani remains rooted in her belief that television will always hold a special place in Indian households. "TV still has its charm, its emotional connect and its reach. That's something no other medium has been able to replace."