Open to both: Shamin Mannan hails from Assam and is a household name, thanks to the idiot box. “I have done a couple of shows on television, but I received recognition from my show Sanskar in which I played the character Bhoomi.
During her engineering days at the Bangalore Engineering College, she was attracted to the world of glitz and glamour and moved to Mumbai to pursue acting. During her college days, Shamin did various modelling assignments and some TV commercials. Luckily enough, she got to play her first lead character in the show Banoo Meri Dulhan and thereafter, in Santan on Star Plus. Shamin was also nominated as the fresh face on television.
Having gained recognition from Sanskar, she was offered a movie Love Shagun. “I went for audition and got the role of a bar dancer,” she says. About the difference between film and TV roles, Shamin adds, “Television shows bring in instant recognition and connectivity with the audience as it goes into the living rooms of every house. The roles we play get monotonous as they go on for years together sometimes. Also it’s challenging to give our best performances in a short span of time as we need to rush with our deadline. TV fetches good money too. However, I prefer films because we get to perform different roles get worldwide recognition. Also, we get to shoot in different scenic locales.”
Shamin has auditioned for many TV shows and has not signed up anything yet. She is open to both films and TV shows. “Yes, but they need to be something different to those Saas-bahu sagas. Very soon, I will be doing a show. At the moment, I am more than happy that I am debuting in films with Love Shuda, which will be released in February.
B’town is survival of the fittest: An alumnus of the National School of Drama, Delhiite Vikram Kochchar set out for Mumbai after being offered a role in Priyadarshan’s Rangrezz, but by the time he reached Mumbai, the role had gone out to someone else.
“I have faced rejection many times — it’s the survival of the fittest. Next, I was cast in Matru ki bijli ka Mandola, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.” “TV is not where most actors would like to begin with, but it is better do something than nothing. My aim is to be seen on the big screen. Now, I am playing a pivotal role in Love Shuda which is all set to release soon."
In my latest show Summeet Samajh Lega, I play a good role. But this show will go off-air soon. I hope for an extension. However, while working for TV shows, we cannot take up another show as we are committed to one channel.”
Chance and Luck Matter: Arjun Bijlani, who is currently in Naagin as the lead and will next be seen in Direct Ishq, has says, “Working in TV and films — both are fascinating. TV is something you get to see free. Films are larger than life and you need to pay for a ticket. The perception of actors is also different. In today’s times, TV and films are equally respected fields — that gap has also reduced. An actor is an actor. It’s a matter of chance and luck,” he adds.
No deadline stress: Ravi, who began his career in 2006 with the show Stree Teri Khani and now in Jammai Raja, wishes to be seen on the celluloid more often. “For an actor, both are definitely good mediums. The canvas of films is larger. Films give you a different high. I am doing 3Dev, a film which is very unique.
TV meanwhile, is reaching audiences on a daily basis via soaps whereas films offer you different entertainment experiences. On TV, you do many scenes in one day and there is deadline pressure, but film shooting has a lot of detailing; locations also change. I want to strike a balance between two mediums,” he says.
