Sooraj Barjatya agrees to Rupali Ganguly's National Award demand for TV artistes: ‘Actors still get breathers in films'
Sooraj Barjatya says TV actors should be considered for National Awards.
Reacting to Rupali Ganguly's demand, Sooraj said he agreed with her and added, 'I believe they should. TV is an art form, and it demands immense hard work. If you visit a TV set, you'll see – it's a minimum of 12–14 hours of continuous work. In films, actors still get breathers, but in TV, actors must continuously live their roles, and directors must constantly shoot under restrictions, yet create something touching. If I were asked to direct one episode, I'd take a week! So yes, National Awards should include television actors.'
What Rupali Ganguly said
While speaking to paparazzo Viral Bhayani, Rupali said, 'There are National Awards for everyone from film stars to content creators. But there's nothing for TV artistes. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, others had the advantage of delaying their shooting schedules, but we kept working. When a film star works continuously, it makes headlines. But no one talked about how we, the TV artists, worked non-stop from 6 am to 6 pm during the pandemic. I request the government to consider us also. We work very hard; it would be nice to have some validation.'
Meanwhile, Sooraj Barjatya's Rajshri Productions has returned to television after five years with the show Manpasand Ki Shaadi. The story revolves around Aarohi Shinde (Esha Suryawanshi), who challenges her family's traditional approach to marriage and expresses her desire to choose her own life partner. The show explores the clash between tradition and modernity, along with the complexities of family and societal pressures. Actor Akshun Mahajan plays the male lead.
Rupali, on the other hand, continues to shine in and as Anupamaa. Produced by Rajan Shahi, the show premiered in 2020 and quickly became one of the most-watched serials on Indian television. Anupamaa continues to be a fan favourite, consistently topping the TRP charts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Time Out New York listed our Birbal ki khichdi as one of the best dishes of the year...'
Michelin-starred chef and Culinary Director of True Palate Hospitality, Suvir Saran's journey with Indian food is full of moments that go beyond just cooking. When Devi became the first Indian restaurant in North America to get a Michelin star, it wasn't just about the award-it was about making food that connects people to their memories and their roots. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Instead of copying typical restaurant styles, Suvir looks to the kitchens of home and forgotten recipes to create dishes that feel authentic and full of heart. In this interview, he shares stories from his path, how working with different people influences his cooking, and what keeps him excited about the future of Indian cuisine. Q: Looking back at Devi receiving a Michelin star-a first for Indian cuisine in North America-what moments from that journey still shape the way you approach new restaurant collaborations and concepts today? There was a moment at Devi I'll never forget. A South Indian family was celebrating an 80th birthday. The grandmother tried our shrimp rasam and started to weep. She said, 'You reminded me of my mother and grandmother in Tamil Nadu.' She was ready to touch my feet. I said, 'Ma'am, I'm so young.' She said, 'Yes, but your food knows old love.' That's when I understood what we were doing at Devi: not just cooking Indian food, but restoring memory. People still write to me about our tandoori lamb chops, bhel puri, mango cheesecake, and that tomato chutney—Sheila Lukins, editor of Parade Magazine and co-author of The Silver Palate Cookbook, once called it 'better than ketchup.' Time Out New York listed our Birbal ki khichdi as one of the best dishes of the year. American Airlines magazine called our Karari Bhindi salad the dish-of-the-year. Devi taught me to stop mimicking restaurant-style Indian cooking and look toward home kitchens, forgotten recipes, emotional anchors. That instinct walks into every kitchen I enter today. Q: When consulting for high-profile restaurants, how do you balance your own vision of comforting, authentic food with the branded identities of celebrity clients? You don't have to bend when you work with people who bend for humanity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now That's what makes these collaborations work. Take Virat Kohli. The One 8 Commune menu features his favorites, but it's never about ego. It's about joy, mindfulness, flavor. He understands wellness and indulgence. Chef Agnibh Mudi, who leads the kitchen there, translates Virat's personal palate into something India can enjoy freely and happily. I've rarely had to draw a line. We're a collective of passionate eaters and travelers who chase flavor more than trend. That freedom lets us build menus that are intelligent, emotional, and joyful all at once. Q: Across your diverse consulting roles, is there a particular restaurant or project that challenged you to rethink your relationship with Indian food-or food in general? Neuma, in Bombay, gave me a new canvas: a storied bungalow in Colaba, heritage architecture, a city of the most refined eaters. It taught me to tell Bombay's story-not just India's or mine-through food. We built a menu of global flavors rooted in memory, presented with calm confidence. One 8 Commune shifted something too. It taught me that India is ready—hungry-for mindful food. But it still has to taste amazing. People don't care about labels. They want flavor first. That balance of health and hedonism has reshaped how I think about comfort and nourishment. Q: How is it to work with celebrities like Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladakh at Jolene in Goa? Is it easy, difficult, or different? It's joy. Simple as that. Jolene is a marriage made in heaven-and the credit goes to Gaurav Batra, who brought us together. Amrita and Shakeel are both so elegant, so chic-but they carry that style with grace and humility. Amrita is a wonderful cook. Shakeel is a warm, fuzzy teddy bear of a man with big dreams and a bigger heart. They're kind, generous, empathetic people-and that humanity seeps into the restaurant. The food at Jolene, in Goa, is nostalgic and fresh, beach-forward, emotionally light but culinarily deep. It's where the world comes together on a plate, with joy and simplicity. And the best part? Everyone, from staff to guest, feels the love. Q: Is there a memory-a tasting or conversation-that shows what working with Amrita and Shakeel really feels like? There was a moment at one of our first big tastings. Amrita had celebrities around her, but she wasn't distracted. She was focused on the food, tasting with intent, giving feedback with warmth. Her smile said more than her words. She made sure the staff felt seen. That night, I realized: she's a giver. Not just of style or celebrity, but of genuine care. Shakeel was right beside her, cheering, laughing, helping. They're humans first, stars second. Q: You've worked in celebrity-driven environments. Tell us about a memorable night at Neuma, Jolene, or One 8 Commune that surprised you. We don't name names-but I'll say this: the most famous guests have often been the kindest. At Neuma, a major celebrity came in and before touching a dish, walked into the kitchen to thank the staff. At One 8 Commune, another guest quietly tipped the housekeeping team. What I've seen is humility. Real aren't staged moments—they're reminders that good food can bring out the best in people. Q: One honest question. What's your first love—fashion or food? Food. Always. But fashion and food, for me, are part of the same instinct: to create beauty, to express something. I like food that looks good, feels good, and leaves you better than it found you. And I like clothes that do the same. Fashion makes you feel good enough to go out and eat. Food makes you feel full enough to go out and live. Together, they create a life that's styled and satisfied. Q: Can you share a defining moment outside the kitchen that still shapes how you see the world and your work today? When my grandfather passed, I was just a boy. Our home in Delhi was grieving, broken. But my grandmother never stopped feeding people. Her kitchen stayed open. Visitors came unannounced and left nourished, emotionally and physically. That shaped everything I do. Later, I watched my mother cook magic with very little and in an India with little access to global ingredients. And Panditji, our family cook, could turn vegetables into poetry. I learned that food is the one act of love that transforms people—quietly, powerfully.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Sara Tendulkar recalls Australia memories, reveals why she never pursued cricket
For most of her childhood, Sara Tendulkar's connection with Australia was shaped by the rhythm of her father Sachin Tendulkar's cricketing tours. Today, years later, those personal memories are coming full circle as she steps into the spotlight in her own right as the new face of Tourism Australia's Come and Say G'day campaign for Indian campaign, which has already found global success with its animated mascot Ruby the Souvenir Kangaroo, marks one of Sara's first major brand collaborations. For her, though, the association is more than symbolic. Australia, she says, has been part of her life story for as long as she can my dad playing and travelling to Australia so much... The first time I visited Australia was in 1999. Ever since, I have visited the country once every four years. I have a lot of childhood memories there, and they were always very happy,' Sara told India Today on Wednesday, 20 August. 'My brother and I were very thrilled. We didn't get to see our dad too much because he was always travelling for cricket. When we would go there, we would be very happy to spend as much time with him,' she 27, fondly recalled spending New Year's Eves in Sydney with her father and the rest of the Indian cricket team. 'I distinctly remember spending New Year's Eve in Australia in Sydney, the ones we were there when we visited every four years. We would spend New Year's Eve on a boat with the whole team. That's something I will never forget,' she MYSELF TO GULLY CRICKETShe also spoke of her frequent visits to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground during her younger years. Just last December, she was spotted cheering for India during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, an experience that gave her a new appreciation of its atmosphere.'When I was young, I don't think I realised the significance of the MCG. But now, when I went back, all those memories came rushing back,' she said, reflecting on how her understanding of the stadium's importance has grown with time. Even with such intimate proximity to cricket, Sara is clear the sport was never on her horizon. 'Never. It's been my brother's forte. I have played gully cricket, but never thought about it.'She might have countless favourite memories of her father's iconic knocks, but the most vivid, Sara says, is of his farewell to the game in 2013.'If I have to pick one vivid memory, then I would pick his retirement match. I was old enough to really understand what that meant at that point. When I was younger, I went for the games, but I never really grasped the enormity of them.'Stepping into the limelight in her own way has also meant learning to navigate public attention. Sara credits her father for grounding her with advice that continues to guide her. 'He always told me that when I have freedom and independence, I should always be responsible. That's something that I have tried to follow when I left for college.'Her association with Tourism Australia reflects just that balance: personal history meeting new opportunities. The tourism board, which has identified India as one of its fastest-growing markets, has launched the second phase of its campaign tailored for Indian travellers, placing Sara at the centre as someone who has lived those experiences herself.- Ends
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Vijay Sethupathi To Make A Blockbuster Cameo In Allu Arjun And Atlee's AA22xA6?
Last Updated: Vijay Sethupathi may make a cameo in Allu Arjun and Atlee's AA22xA6. Deepika Padukone starts shooting in November for this ambitious film. Allu Arjun and director Atlee are gearing up for one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema, tentatively titled AA22xA6. The film is already generating buzz for its star-studded cast and high-octane visuals. Rumours are now swirling that Vijay Sethupathi might appear in a cameo, adding another layer of excitement for fans. Vijay Sethupathi's Possible Role According to Valai Pechu, Vijay Sethupathi is likely to be part of AA22xA6. Reportedly, he will play a pivotal role in the film's 'parallel universe" storyline, with some portions of his sequences already shot in Mumbai. However, this has not been officially confirmed by the makers, and fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement. Deepika Padukone Allots 100 Days to Shoot In an exclusive update, Pinkvilla learned that Deepika Padukone has dedicated 100 days for the film's shoot. She is expected to begin filming in November while balancing her schedule for Shah Rukh Khan's King. A source revealed, 'Deepika Padukone has allotted 100 days for the film shoot, and is expected to perform dramatic and action-packed sequences. The team has designed a special warrior look and weapons for her character." Filming for AA22xA6 is slated to continue until September 2026, with makers aiming for a theatrical release in the second half of 2027. What to Expect From AA22xA6 The film is said to feature extensive visual effects and will reportedly explore four different roles within a single family tree. Alongside Deepika, the cast includes Mrunal Thakur, Janhvi Kapoor, and Rashmika Mandanna. Notably, Rashmika — known for her role in Pushpa — is rumored to play an antagonist, promising intense on-screen dynamics. Vijay Sethupathi was last seen in the crime comedy Ace and is currently shooting for a project with director Puri Jagannadh, tentatively titled PuriSethupathi. The film promises to be action-packed, with Tabu and Samyuktha in pivotal roles. Additionally, Vijay's upcoming film Train, directed by Mysskin, is awaiting release, further cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile actors in the industry. Fans of both Allu Arjun and Vijay Sethupathi are now eagerly waiting to see how this potential collaboration unfolds on the big screen. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
