Anuj's got production on his mind

Yeh serial kal ho na ho

Well, that's what is happening with the serials these days. BT talks to the hapless actors who are left in the lurch when their serial is suddenly taken off air

ITI SHREE MISRA

In the recent past, a number of television serials have been taken off air abruptly much to the chagrin of the viewers and the actors involved. Aisa Des Hai Mera, Kulvaddhu, Vaidehi, Kabhi To Nazar Milao, Sati, Antariksh, Milee etc are just a few of the serials which didn't even get a decent ending!
Pallavi Kulkarni, although an established actress, had to face this problem when her serial Vaidehi was scrapped all of a sudden. Says Pallavi, "It's very disheartening. You start off with a new project and decide to give it your best shot and suddenly it all goes kaput. We gradually start getting into a character and when the serial is suddenly taken off air, it leaves you feeling very incomplete. But thankfully, I have my commercials to fall back on."
Pallavi's co-actor in Vaidehi, Sachin Sharma has the dubious distinction of having most of his serials taken off-air. Sindoor, Vaidehi, Kulvaddhu, etc are some of his serials that were scrapped unceremoniously. Says Sachin, "It is very demoralising. On a personal front, it one which met the same fate in spite of a formidable cast comprising Urvashi Dholakia and Anuj Saxena. Its lead actress Sampada Vaze was launched with lots of hype, but now she's cooling her heels at home. "Thankfully I got married in time! But a serial's abrupt ending does affect the actors adversely. It is unfair both to the actors and the viewers. Both feel let down. If the channels and production houses work in tandem, these things can be avoided."
Actor Daljeet Kaur's launch for her debut serial Kulvdaddhu had left a trail of envious girls. But it was these very girls who had the last laugh as
Kulvaddhu crashed within five months
of its launch. Says Daljeet who is yet to recover from the shock, "It's upsetting because now I have to go looking for work again. I have to start my career from scratch."
No wonder then that we see the same set of faces in every second serial, because the actors want to make hay while the sun shines. Because nobody knows yeh serial kal ho na ho! leads to feelings of insecurity and disappointment. On the professional level, it leads to a place where we don't know what next? In the end it's all about money. If the serial is not getting decent TRPs, they just take the show off-air without realising how badly it affects the cast and crew of the serial, besides of course, the viewers. By God's grace I have been getting offers from other production houses but not every one is so lucky." A point that must be noted.
Actress Saumya Tandon who made her debut with Aisa Des Hai Mera, too had the same problem. "ADHM was taken offair quite unceremoniously. It is not fair to suddenly pull out a serial. Channels must give some time to the serial to establish itself. Thankfully my serial stayed long enough to fetch me good offers," says Saumya.
The serial Rishton Ki Dorr is another

STRANDED: Saumya Tandon, Sachin Shroff, Pallavi Kulkarni and (right) Sampada Vaze