“Larger-than-life shows on TV are a good break from reality”, opines actor Hemant Chaddha!

Realistic content seems to be a hit with the audience. The success of #TheKashmirFiles goes on to add how much they enjoy such stories. Ambar Dhara actor #HemantChaddha agrees. However, he feels that realistic content is good for films and short series, but it is too heavy for TV viewers.

“I feel it’s the larger-than-life portrayal that still works best for the small screen. One can watch realistic content once in a while, for a few hours, but watching it every day, I don’t think it will go down well with the viewers. Larger-than-life shows on TV are a good break from reality”, says the actor who has been a part of projects such as Anamika and Dwarkadheesh

About the one thing that Hemant would like to change about the television industry if given a choice would be the approach towards narratives.

“More emphasis should be there on content highlighting culture and values, and positive feel good shows. Most shows start with a very promising concept, but a few weeks down the line everything goes towards the same old path of rich to poor, property dispute, family issues, extra-marital affairs and so on. We need to move out of this pattern or innovate better within it,” he adds.

The actor feels that the entertainment industry has changed from what it was when he started his journey. “The content has evolved a lot and has changed over the years not only in terms of storyline but sets, costume, budget, production value, technology etc. Reality shows were scarce now every channel has 2-3 reality shows going on at the same time. Streaming has become mainstream; it’s like almost a parallel platform. With so much diversity in content as an actor I am more open to experiment with different looks, mastering different dialects to make my character more realistic and convincing,” he shares.

With so much uncertainty around in terms, more so with the devastating, is work life balance still a concern? “Pandemic has definitely taken a toll on the industry and hit us hard leaving many actors without jobs. We actors make money from active ongoing work and the last 2 years have definitely been tough on all. Work-life balance has been thrown off track and will take time to get back to normal. Hoping for things to stay good and keeping a positive mindset,” he signs off.