New Delhi. As glamorous and dazzling as the world of TV appears from outside, its truth is equally bitter from within. People see their favorite stars laughing and smiling on the small screen, but very few people know about the hard work, fatigue and mental stress behind it. Long shifts, constant work pressure and not getting time for one’s personal life, this is the reality of TV actors. Small screen actor Arjun Bijlani talked about this serious issue and told how difficult it is to survive in this industry.
In an interview given to IANS, Arjun Bijlani described the long working hours of the TV industry as very difficult. He said, ‘Even though a 12-hour shift is written on paper, in reality the artistes spend the entire day working. Apart from shooting, travel time to the set, make-up, and sometimes overtime are also added to it, due to which the working hours increase further.
It is necessary to leave on time to reach the set
Sometimes shooting continues even after 9 pm
He said, ‘Shooting often continues till 9 pm and sometimes even later. Even after the shoot is over, the actors take time to remove makeup and change clothes. After this, returning home in traffic is a different challenge. Many times artists reach home very late at night, when the body is completely tired.
The body does not get the necessary rest.
Arjun Bijlani said, ‘The most difficult thing is that the next day the same routine has to be repeated. One has to leave for work again before the body gets complete rest. Due to this happening continuously, mental and physical fatigue increases, which also affects the health of the artists.
Efforts are made to finish the shooting in 12 hours
Recalling his old days, Arjun said, ‘There was a time when one had to work much more than the scheduled time. Sometimes it felt as if I had worked 35 days in a 30-day month. This period was very tiring for me both mentally and physically. But now the situation has become better than before. Earlier the shooting used to last for 14, 15, and 18 hours. Now most producers try to finish the shoot within the stipulated 12 hours.
8 hour shift can affect quality
When asked whether there should be an 8-hour shift in the TV industry, Arjun Bijlani said, ‘Technically it is not possible. When a show is telecast seven days a week, it becomes difficult to complete the work in such a short time. If working hours are reduced to 8, the quality of the show may be affected. To deliver good quality content to the audience, the artists and the entire team have to work for 12 hours. It is very important to maintain a balance between work and health.