If you take off the channel logo, you can't differentiate one show from the other - Rajev Paul

Talented television actor Rajev Paul, who was last seen in Bigg Boss, says that he is looking at a full-fledged TV hosting assignment (he hosts events at the moment). “As far as fiction is concerned, I am ready for anything interesting. Money is not the issue, I just want to feel charged up to go to work every day. But yes, I will not play an uncle sitting in the background. Though I had been offered some shows, they did not work out. I am still in talks with others, so let’s see how things work out,” Rajev avers. Our talk with Rajev, who has been part of several hit shows over the years like Rishtey, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Saarthi, reveals that he is quite disappointed at the level of Indian fiction. “As a producer said, we have regressed back to the 80s. I remember when I was part of India’s first daily soap Swabhimaan, we would get scripts up to a month in advance. But today, scripts are given to us the same day we are called for a shoot. Storylines change every Thursday (ratings day), not only depending on what our show rates, but based on what happens in rival channels too. If one particular theme works, you have myriad copies of the same. And the point to be noted here is that if you take off the channel logo, you can’t differentiate one show from the other,” the actor observes. One other major problem as per Rajev is that our TV characters are larger-than-life. “They are not normal, like we have today in films .The narrative on TV is very stereotyped as well and every problem is solved by a bahu while every saas has to be negative in character,” Rajev maintains. The actor also does not accept the often repeated channel theme that this type of family content alone runs. “Had this been the case, most shows would have rocked the charts. But, why do we have only few chartbusters,” he questions. Here Rajev mentions one more big negative change that he has seen in recent times. The channels do too much of interference. “Earlier, a producer/ director would take calls, but today we have 20 channel guys poking their noses in every affair. Should they also not own up responsibility when a show tanks,” he again queries. However Rajev is hopeful that TV will soon follow films which today boast of realistic scripts. “The entry of biggies like Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor in the TV fiction scene might change the playing field totally. As Mr Kapoor was a part of 24, he knows what the story is and he has taken a big risk by buying the rights of the show plus he has a great channel backing him. On the other hand, Mr. Bachchan was one who gave dignity to TV by being the first superstar to be associated with the small screen when he agreed to host KBC way back in 2000. Hope their shows rock. They will be remembered in history for doing fiction,” says a confident sounding Rajev. Well said, Rajev…