Nikkhil: Actors look better acting

Nikkhil Arya on soaps, reality shows and the bright future of Indian television...
1. The best thing about Indian Television:
Like Bollywood is one of the biggest film industries in the world, similarly I believe that Indian television has the scope to be really big with a lot of opportunities for everybody who has something to offer. Just the size of the audience and the cultural mix allows Indian television to potentially try out a world of ideas.
2. All-time favourite show:
Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi for its writing. Simply to have such a long-running serial, comedy at that, and not for a moment seem like a drag, is a huge achievement, which I don’t think any other show has been able to accomplish. And to say that the chemistry between the characters was good is an understatement. There is no substitute to a combination of great acting and great writing.
3. One change you’d like to see on television:
More risks being taken. Trends not being followed just for the sake of being followed. Our country has the best... writers, creatives, producers, directors and actors who still haven’t been challenged to their optimum.
4. Reality shows versus serials:
It’s nice to see a lot of actors do very well on reality shows. But, I will always be partial towards being a part of story-telling. That’s because I believe true actors look better acting, due to which the reality shows I enjoy the most are ones that involve the common people, which bring out the best talent in our country.
5. How would you compare Indian TV with international television?
There is no comparison at all simply because I don’t think internationally actors or creatives are seen differently from their filmi counterparts. Here, television and Bollywood are not at par yet, hence there is a divide and a huge gap between them. Pity that you don’t see the Jennifer Anistons, James Spaders, Eva Longorias being created on a regular basis on Indian television. But I have a lot of faith in the young creative breed leading the industry and we are already beginning to see a change.