'Television isn't planned anymore'

His portrayal of iconic Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi in the television series of the same name in early 90s made Rajit Kapur a household name, but the National Award winning actor has consciously stayed away from taking up any new small-screen assignment. The reason, Kapur feels, is the absence of planning and research in television shows that once was a norm of the television industry.

“I get a call every day and many times a month, asking ‘are your free’? They are only concerned whether I am free next week, or next month,” the 55-year-old tells Metrolife, adding, “they are not bothered about what the project is and what is the nature of the work.”

These comments don’t surprise anymore as exaggerated storyline, unrelatable characters and unbelievable twists and turn ensure some soaps run over generations, depending on their TRP’s(Television Rating Point) and continue producing a redundant, stale and uninspiring tale.

“Television is not planned any more. These days you see people downloading brilliant TV series (Britain) and enjoying them thoroughly. There has been more than a year’s planning behind their execution. But yahan sab chutki baja ke hota hai...(here everything happens at the snap of the fingers),” he adds.

Recollecting how earlier television would take pains in researching and was far from being a crazy marathon it has become today, curtailing creative freedom, he asks, “Where is the creative input and research in today’s shows? Here, in a day, an episode is being made, edited at night and sent out for telecast next morning. How can you ever get anything of qualitative value or concern with this kind of working with a gun on your head?”

Adding that in the last few years, the only show that stood out among the chaotic melee was TV series 24.

“It was a refreshing gem, with good research and high quality production value,” he points out.

Kapur’s disillusion with small screen hasn’t affected his relationship with the silver screen as he has been pretty active in Bollywood and theatre as well. The Mumbai-based actor appeared in movies like Ghulam, Zubeidaa, Guzaarish and Roy. It was the portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in The Making of the Mahatma that fetched him the National Award.

“I am trying to balance between theatre and films, but it’s not that I am against television. But until we allow some creative work to be done, I don’t see myself doing any TV shows,” he points out. If I do so, then I will only be disappointing myself or getting upset in the bargain,” he says.

In the capital for a play, The Siddhus of Upper Juhu, Kapur also elaborated how technically Bollywood has moved far ahead, but some mindsets haven’t changed, posing a threat to cinema that needs support.

“Today, a person, who is making crores of money, would mind risking his money on a newcomer or even Rajit Kapur. So they will still ask for getting Salman Khan or Akshay Kumar on board. They will put money on big players, but are scared to take risks with a good script or even small actors,” he says.

“So if in business people are not ready to take risks, then one is not going to get good results,” he concludes.