Bidaai Articles Archive - No Comments - Page 57

MUMBAI: Here today, gone tomorrow. As soon as the arclights dim, actors often fade away from public memory. It is a scenario every actor (whether from the big screen or its smaller cousin) dreads. To escape the insecurity that the profession brings, several have turned to alternate professions even as the going is good. But while forays by film actors have mostly been in the entertainment world itself, their television counterparts have ventured wider - from running dog parlours to salons to boutiques and even renting out cars and bungalows - to make a living.

Ronit Roy, popularly considered as the Amitabh Bachchan of the small screen, runs a security agency. His agency provides security to all A-listers of Bollywood, as well as security on and off the sets for actors. Roy does not look at this business as a profession. "It is my passion and that is why I got into it,'' said the actor.

Sachin Shroff started trading in steel when he was 19 years old. "It was difficult to manage but my family supported me. I later got into acting but I maintained both. I strongly feel that the glamour industry offers good work but it is unpredictable. One needs to have a secure business as a source of income. There are times when we only shoot for 15 days of the month and it is refreshing to do something else for the rest of the month.''

Pawan Shankar, who shot to fame with 'Siddhant', is able to choose his projects as he not totally dependent on television as a source of income. He said, "My wife Yukti and I run an event company called Fashionista. We have organised lifestyle exhibitions in B-towns like Nagpur, Surat, Chandigarh and Raipur. We intend to take this to at least 15 cities by the end of this year.''

Shankar adds, "An alternate profession makes me feel secure so I can choose the project I want to be part of unlike some other actors who are forced to do projects for the sake of a steady income.'' Shankar also involves his celebrity friends to be part of the exhibitions.

Aamir Ali who won the 'Nach Baliye' dance contest last season has been inviting his friends for the launch of his friend Rohit's Kitchen and Bar, but the actor is looking at starting a business venture himself. He said, "It makes you secure and I don't want to work for the heck of earning money. Whatever name one has earned will be lost if one takes up any project only because of money. I will not do it.''

The career span of television actors is getting shorter by the day as newer and younger faces are brought in. An industry insider said, "If you notice, the big stars have begun doing reality shows as serials are not really coming their way. Gone are the days when the channels demanded big names from producers. Now they don't, so it is better that they look for alternate careers so that there is some sense of security.''

Kunika, who till last year ran a restaurant in the western suburbs, said, "I have opted out of the partnership and want to concentrate on acting for two years. But I already plan to start a spa. Acting is an insecure profession. So it is necessary for one to have a regular income.''

But quizzed about the average career span for a television, Kunika said, "It depends from actor to actor. How you present yourself, your professional behaviour and most importantly your look.''

Reva Babbar, who played Damini in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', used to run a dog parlour. Reva said, "It was getting difficult for me to manage both the careers, so I gave up that business but I will soon be starting something else.''

Jiten Lalwani said, "Acting is one of the most insecure professions, especially television. Somebody once said TV makes you famous but leaves you alone in the end. I always dreamt of owning a boutique, so we decided to open one. Katha was opened in 2005 and Katha 2 in 2006. We are a growing company and plan to add more stores in the near future. Katha has made me more secure in my life.''

Naveen Saini, who acts in 'Bidaai', runs a parallel car rental. Cezanne Khan rents out his Madh Island bungalow for film and television shootings, while Maanav Gohil and Shweta Kwatra run an event management company. Then there are some actors who have turned producers as well. JD Majithia is already doing well as a producer. Urvashi Dholakia, who played Komalika in 'Kasauti Zindagi Kay', has started a production company and will make shows. Smriti 'Tulsi' Irani too has begun producing television shows. Sakshi 'Parvati' Tanwar is planning to start her own production house. And Shweta Tiwari, who started a production house along with husband Raja Chaudhary, has produced Bhojpuri films.