You could be a popular TV actor at the peak of your career, yet you’d still find yourself battling stereotypes if you want to bag a film or OTT project. Dheeraj Dhoopar, who plays the lead in Kundali Bhagya, feels that the industry often adopts a myopic view towards the small screen artistes and limits them to the medium. He shares, “It’s a known fact that TV actors work extremely hard. We shoot almost every day. Even during the pandemic, when everyone had the liberty to resume work at their convenience, those associated with the TV industry got back to work.”

Dheeraj also says that it’s not easy for small-screen actors to get into the OTT space. He says, “I am trying my luck in films and OTT, but I haven’t got a single call from a good OTT platform. Why does a maker on an OTT platform only approach a film star? I agree that actors across other mediums are very talented and hard-working. But we, too, have proved our mettle time and again. Then why don’t we get equal opportunities and respect like our

Bollywood counterparts?”

Could it also be because of over-exposure, given that they are seen every day on a daily soap? He replies, “I believe that every actor, irrespective of the medium, is very exposed today. Why is that a handicap? Exposure translates into more following, and that’s what I bring to the table. My fight today is to get the respect I deserve.”

He adds, “I am a part of the entertainment industry and I shouldn’t be slotted as a TV artiste. If I become a part of OTT shows or films, I won’t be addressed by the medium I am acting on, right? I will still be called an actor, and that is what I am striving for. People say that the lines are blurring. But why was there a demarcation in the first place? Casting directors appreciate our talent, but the minute they get to know that we are from television, they change their minds. We shouldn’t be treated like a pariah. I want to explore every medium simultaneously. People assume that just because we are busy doing a daily soap, we won’t be able to take up another project. What if I can strike a balance between two projects?”

The bias isn’t just limited to the kind of roles offered to them, but also to the treatment meted out by some established designers, claims Dheeraj. He adds, “When we approach renowned designers for clothes, we are often told that they don’t give their costumes to TV actors. The message is mostly sent across subtly. We are hailed for our fashion sense and can afford the costume. This doesn’t happen with a Bollywood actor. The medium shouldn’t be a yardstick for our talent and calibre.”