Sayli Salunkhe: Even though my shows have shut down abruptly, I’ve kept working back-to-back

The abrupt end of a show can leave an artiste questioning their choices, and Sayli Salunkhe, last seen as the female lead in Pukaar — Dil Se Dil Tak, knows that feeling all too well. This marks her third daily soap after Bohot Pyaar Karte Hai and Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si – both ended in less than a year. However, Pukaar—Dil Se Dil Tak turned out to be her shortest stint, wrapping up within just four months. She shares, “I can’t quite grasp what’s happening with television these days. As actors, we can’t always choose which production house or channel we get to work with. I find myself torn between what factors to prioritise when selecting a show – should I focus on the production house, the channel, or the story?”

‘It’s disheartening when your show ends abruptly’
Although Sayli prefers finite series, she expects her shows to last at least a year. The actress, who transitioned from Marathi TV to Hindi, says, “Marathi shows often stretch for four to five years, which doesn’t align with me. If I end up doing a show for four years, I feel like meri umar khatam ho jaayegi television karte karte. Ideally, I would like my shows to run for about a year and a half. Unfortunately, the shows I have been part of have ended abruptly, leaving me without closure, and that feels unfair. Four months is too short – aisa lag raha hai na hum uss character se judd paaye aur na usse bahar nikal paaye. I had just started understanding my role, so it’s disheartening. This might be why many TV actors are turning to OTT platforms, hoping their work and characters get the recognition they deserve. We just want to be remembered for our work.”




‘I always give my 100 per cent to every character’
After three shows ending prematurely, does she worry about industry perception? “Of course, I don’t want people to think my shows end abruptly. However, I also want to stress that, as an actor, I have no control over these decisions. I hope people don’t judge my performance based on this. I always give my 100 percent and beyond that, I try not to let it weigh on me. Even though my shows have shut down abruptly, I’ve kept working back-to-back. So far, I have taken on projects without overthinking, accepting the first offer that came my way. However now, I feel like I have reached a point jahaan thoda sochna padega ab,” she replies, adding, “I will be taking some time off to focus on honing my craft and enroll in a few workshops. This break will also help me switch off from my characters and return refreshed (smiles).”