Why Rohit Roy considers TV a 'dustbin medium'
What's the story
Actor Rohit Roy, who first shot to fame with the 1990s Doordarshan show Swabhimaan, has made some candid remarks about television and film actors. In a recent interview with Kindle Cast on YouTube, he said that the way TV actors conduct themselves lacks class and called television a "dustbin medium." He explained that there is a distinct difference between how film and TV actors present themselves.
Actor hierarchy
'TV actors don't have the carriage that film actors have'
When asked about the perceived "caste system" that places film actors above their television counterparts, Roy said that TV actors "don't have the carriage that film actors have."
He elaborated, "You see any public appearance of a film actor, you see the carriage with which he or she comes out, especially if they are a star."
"Of course, everyone puts on a front. We have to put on a front. But their front is graceful, dignified, stylish."
Actor conduct
Roy also criticized the clothing of TV stars
Roy, who has also worked extensively in television, said he has always been careful about his conduct.
He said, "You have to conduct yourself with a certain amount of grace, dignity. You can't do hoo-haa and make stupid comments because you know the paparazzi is there."
He also criticized the kind of clothing worn by TV stars as compared to film stars.
"It's not like film stars don't wear revealing clothes, but there is a certain style to it."
Audience perception
Impact of social media on actors and audience relationship
Roy also weighed in on the impact of social media on actors and their relationship with the audience.
He said that while people are drawn to sensational posts, they don't respect the actor because "you are not really doing anything."
He added, "I feel very few actors on television really know how to speak well to their audiences. Even their make-believe looks make-believe."
Medium comparison
Roy's thoughts on hierarchy between cinema and television
When asked if his comments were a way of "internalizing hierarchy" between the two mediums, Roy said that cinema is above television.
He said, "Cinema is cinema. It is for posterity. Television is a dustbin medium."
He also spoke about his own show Swabhimaan and how it has stood the test of time compared to other shows that have been forgotten.
Actor insights
Do TV actors get step-motherly treatment? Roy answers
Roy acknowledged that his first show was big enough to never make him feel "inferior" to any other actor. However, he admitted that television actors do get "step-motherly treatment."
He said, "When you see the better actors on television, they get the same respect. Maybe not the stardom, but respect."
He has also starred in films like Kaabil, Fashion, and Shootout at Lokhandwala.