Hina Khan says Bollywood Looks Down on TV Stars

Actress Hina Khan has stated that there is hardly any bond between Bollywood and TV stars, revealing that small-screen stars are looked down upon.

Hina, who has featured in both film and television, has been left confused as to why that is the case.

She explained: “Well, we are ready to work if given an opportunity.

“I am not the right person because I come from both the mediums. I have done theatrical films, I have done digital (films) and then I have done television for the longest time.

“So, I am somewhere in the middle and I can speak on both the cases. What I see after all these years is that we (TV stars) are looked down upon. I don’t know why.”

In 2019, Hina made her debut at the Cannes Film Festival, however, her appearance drew criticism from some sections of the media.

“For me, I always mentioned things change because I hit the Cannes (red) carpet. I set an example for television. It became huge news and then other things happened.

“The whole industry came together and fought for me. But why are we looked down upon? I just don’t get it.”

Hina achieved fame in the show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai as Akshara. She explained the criticism she received in Cannes, saying that it was a sign that TV stars are looked down upon.

“I walked the carpet and some stupid comparison is done. Why? Had it been some film star’s son or daughter it wouldn’t have happened.

“It gives a clear sign that they look down upon us.”

TV has provided a platform for established Bollywood actors like Shahrukh Khan, however, Hina said that different schedules are one of the reasons why TV stars are looked down upon.

“Television actors are trained differently. We work in stressful conditions, unlike films. I have done films. I know how films are shot, how comfortable and how much effort and training goes on before shooting starts.

“That does not happen in television. We are given a bunch of scripts every day.

“You got to learn your lines, come on sets, there is so much stress. That doesn’t happen in films.

“Maybe, that way our training is better because we are ready to shoot for 18 hours at a stretch. We can deliver 10 pages in one go when it comes to realistic performance and television.

“I have always mentioned it is over the top when it comes to performance.”

Despite the demands of TV acting, Hina said: “That does not mean we cannot do it (films). Maybe we need certain training, maybe we also need a film to understand ‘that oh my god, I need to do this a little subtle. I need to improve here’.

“But that opportunity is not given to us. If a film is given to us, we are judged upon that film.”

She went on to say that it is something TV actors face on a regular basis when they decide to act in films.

Hina Khan has urged for television stars to be given a “fair chance”.

“We are not given 10 films. Anyone who is a star kid, they have the backing of 10 films.

“They get one film and they understand their flaws, (in the) second film they do a little better, (in the) third film they get an award, and the fourth film they are the best actors.”