By Anil Merani: The latest victim of desi TV typecasting is talented actor Avinesh Rekhi, playing a sardar. It’s no wonder that after playing them in Choti Sarrdaarni and Ikk Kudi Punjab Di, he plays yet another Sikh character in the last leg of the Colors TV show Udaariyaan.
This is the unfortunate reality of Indian television. Once an actor excels in a particular role, they are often offered similar characters, which can be frustrating and limiting for their artistic growth, thereby reducing their options.
Avinesh did an excellent job in Choti Sarrdarrni but got stuck with the tag. Ek Kudi Punjabi di came and went, but it did not help his career.
Now, he will be left holding the Udaariyaan sack. Poor guy. Would he have accepted this role, which most others would have refused as he had no other role?
He must take a vast fiction break of two to three years before the Sikh impression dilutes the public mind. In between, he should try nonfiction.
Looking ahead, I remain hopeful that the industry’s creative minds will remember Avinesh’s work in Madhubala—Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh, Piyaji—and offer him a variety of roles that showcase his versatility and talent.
This typecasting may destroy careers. And as a result, actors will baulk at going beyond the tried and tested.
Talking about Sardar Ji’s role, I hope something similar does not happen to Teri Meri Doriyaann’s lead, Vijayendra Kumeria, who is acting as a Sikh gentleman.
Yet another example of typecasting has been Karanvir Bohra, who has been unable to exit the psycho profile.
It took Rupali Ganguly several years to erase the Monisha Sarabhai (Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai) impression before she captured Anupamaa and changed her game.
