Actor Rohit Roy, who began his career in television and rose to fame with shows such as Swabhimaan and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, has opened up about the differences between television and cinema. The actor, who has also appeared in films including Fashion and Shootout at Lokhandwala, described television as a “dustbin medium” and said cinema is created for “posterity”.

Rohit Roy on television and cinema

Speaking on the Kindle Cast YouTube channel, Rohit was asked whether the television industry has become more professional while losing some of its passion for the craft. Reflecting on his own career, the actor said he sometimes hesitates to criticise television because he does not want to appear ungrateful. However, he argued that the medium has become heavily driven by repetitive content. “Television is a dustbin medium. You watch it today, it’s like yesterday’s newspaper. Tomorrow, you forget about it,” Rohit said. He added that the sheer volume of content being produced in India, along with the repetition of similar storylines, has left little room for creativity. According to Rohit, while shows such as Swabhimaan remain memorable, many other television projects he worked on have been forgotten by audiences.

Rohit on TV actors and Bollywood hierarchy Rohit was also asked about the perceived hierarchy in Bollywood, where television actors are sometimes considered inferior to film actors. The actor appeared to agree that television performers often do not carry themselves in the same manner as film stars, particularly during public appearances. “Quite honestly, television actors don’t have the carriage that film actors have,” he said, adding that film stars often maintain a certain level of “grace, dignity, style” and composure in public. Rohit also criticised the way some television actors behave around the paparazzi. He said celebrities should conduct themselves with a certain amount of grace and dignity rather than making inappropriate comments or seeking attention when cameras are present. He also commented on the clothing choices of some television personalities, although he did not name anyone specifically. He mentioned that one television star is often seen wearing revealing outfits. When the host suggested that Rohit may have internalised the hierarchy between television and cinema, the actor maintained his position. He compared the two mediums to cricket, saying that cinema is “for posterity” and likening it to playing for India, while television is comparable to playing in the Ranji Trophy. Rohit Roy's comments have sparked a broader conversation about the changing television industry, the perception of TV actors and the differences in how performers from television and cinema are viewed by audiences.