Stardom in TV is restricted to the time you are doing a particular show : Sayantani Ghosh

Sayantani Ghosh who has worked in shows like Naaginn, Ghar Ek Sapna, Kumkum and is currently doing Rakt Sambandh talks to TellyChakkar about creative satisfaction, the current day shows and why she would be a part of Pavitra Rishta and a lot more. If you were given an option what would you settle for? Creative satisfaction or shows with hardly any substance in them? It depends if it’s a movie I’d take it up because who does not want to be on the big screen? If it’s a character role, a big production house, director obviously anyone would do it. But it should also be an interesting project. I wouldn’t do a film just because it’s a film. If I do not get films I’d be happy with serials. I belong to this industry and I have to be in it. And, about the substance of a story nothing lasts forever. Initially there were saas-bahu shows but then everyone started aping them. So, people did not want any more of it. The way shows are being made today we cannot blame anyone because there is no success mantra. We come across shows that are not worth watching but I won’t name them. There are a few comedy shows that an intelligent audience like us will never appreciate. But, what clicks with the audience and what doesn’t is really difficult to say. You have done Bengali cinema. Why did you take it up? Do you plan to do more of them? I started my career with Bengali movies and I did them once again after doing a few serials because, I wanted to be rooted to Kolkata where I come from. I would like to do the movies even now but my dates do not permit me. I don’t have enough time to do them but if I get some time I will do them. Which of the current serials would you have done if you had to be offered and why? Honestly, I do not watch every daily soap. I am more into non-fiction like Dance India Dance and Comedy Circus. These reality shows give the much wanted relief. But of the shows I have watched, I would have taken up Pavitra Rishta because it is a popular show. Indian television is focusing more on male leads. Do you think the trend is shifting now and can this be a threat to the women in the industry? It’s not a threat because we can’t have serial without women in it; rather one will have to balance it. It’s not even becoming a trend because there are a lot of women-centric shows. But, yes the channels and the production houses are coming up with different kind of shows. You have done most of the genres, but which is your favourite? I love everything I have done and am doing on TV whether it is the ‘so-called-successful project’ or not. I love dance, comedy, everything. Dancing is something I love doing especially my current show Nachle Ve… I have been very lucky from the start because I have been getting a platform to dance all the time. Even while I was doing Comedy Circus I did dance in a couple of acts. Actually, my first show Naaginn gave me a platform to dance where I did the Tandav. Later in Ghar Ek Sapna I got an opportunity to perform not once but three-four times. So, I have been getting opportunities. There has been a lot of buzz about you being very unhappy with Rakt Sambandh. Is everything sorted now? I don’t plan to walk out of the show. Yes there were a few problems as my character was not going the way it was narrated to me for whatever reasons. I spoke to the creative team and the problem is now sorted out. So, I am very much on the show. What are your plans for Diwali? My mother is here with me and my brother will be joining us soon, we will be celebrating the festival together. I won’t be working during Diwali for kaali pooja is something that is really important for us as Bengalis. So, during Diwali we go to the Kaali ma’s pandal in Goregoan. I also love bursting crackers. We will also watch a lot of movies together. What is your relationship status? I wouldn’t want to answer this as I am not comfortable talking about it. Where do you see yourself five years down the line? I haven’t planned anything as such; I would want to do a lot more films if possible if that doesn’t happen, TV is good too. I would like to do a lot more different roles and wouldn’t want to be repetitive. Unlike in films, stardom in television is restricted to the time you are doing a particular show. There are very few people who get back-to-back roles in this industry. But, it does not mean that there isn’t any need for good actors. Even if there are new faces one will need a good actor in the show. Whether I am 25 or 30 I’d like to be known as a good actor.