Reaching out....

It seems only yesterday that I gave my first shot. I was nervous as hell. As I had some seriously talented, experienced 'been there done that' actors opposite me. But my training in theatre held me in good stead and I breezed through the scene! To be nervous before your shot is good because that in theatre, means you are confident and will do well. It's only when you acquire that 'this is child's play' smugness, then you become overconfident. It's been a beautiful, eventful eight years in the TV industry. Yes,there have been highs and lows but what a joyride it has been! To be able to do what you like and then win millions of hearts every day as you enter their drawing rooms - it's an indescribable feeling. The industry has bloomed and evolved and will continue to evolve while I simply thank my stars that it gave me a chance to prove my mettle here. To say that the industry embraced me with open arms will be stating the obvious. It's not easy to make it here and only those who have it in them, and most importantly the will power and determination to do it come what may kiss success at the end of the day. True, there is struggle but if you have got to make a name and a place for you, you have got to go through the grind. Nothing comes easy. That's why you have both those who have seen success and those who are still trying to be there. It's a tough place to be in so it's upsetting to see the youth today giving it all up so easily. Our newspapers are full of suicide stories; when young lives didn't think twice before snuffing out their lives in a matter of a few seconds! Yes, we are living in stressful times but there is no problem which we can't overcome, no problem is big enough to put an end to the precious life God has blessed us with. I feel everyone, especially the youth, should have someone to confide in, his/her fears, anxieties, sorrows, troubles and even happiness. We as artistes should come together to form an organistion may be to reach out to the youth, most of which do look up to us. It's time we gave something back to them, to our thousands of young fans, a direction, a helping hand, a soothing word. Disclaimer: the views expressed in this column are those of the author and TellyChakkar does not necessarily subscribe to the same.