Television actor Rupali Ganguly recently sparked a debate by urging the government to extend National Awards recognition to television artistes, stressing that they work just as relentlessly as film stars. Now, filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya has echoed her sentiments, firmly supporting the idea.
In a conversation with Telly Talk India, Barjatya explained that television is an equally demanding art form. “I completely agree. TV requires tremendous dedication. On a set, actors put in 12–14 hours daily, often without breaks. Unlike films, where actors get intervals, TV performers must consistently live their characters while directors create moving stories under tight constraints. Honestly, if I were to direct even a single episode, it would take me a week. So yes, National Awards should definitely acknowledge TV actors,” he said.
Rupali had earlier told paparazzo Viral Bhayani that while everyone from film stars to content creators receives recognition, television artistes are overlooked. She highlighted how TV crews worked tirelessly even during the COVID-19 pandemic, often shooting from 6 am to 6 pm without pause, when other industries had the luxury of slowing down. “It would mean a lot if our efforts were validated. We too work very hard,” she added.
Meanwhile, Barjatya’s Rajshri Productions has marked its return to television with Manpasand Ki Shaadi, a family drama exploring the clash between tradition and modernity. Rupali, meanwhile, continues her reign with Anupamaa, one of Indian television’s most successful shows since 2020.