Anita Hassanandani reveals she was only getting offered negative roles during her 5 years long hiatus: ‘Once you play a negative role on TV it is very difficult’

Sharing how choosing to play Devika in Colors TV’s Suman Indori was a considered decision as it meant leaving her four-year-old son Aarav behind, Anita said, “I had been waiting for a strong role to come my way. Right now, the scenario is such that it is tough for established actors to get something that is performance-oriented. But I wanted to make a powerful comeback. I always wanted to get back to acting. And if I am leaving my child to go to work, it has to be worth it.” When asked if the mother guilt steps in with professional responsibility, Anita added, “I have spent enough time with Aarav, even though it’s never enough. I dedicated 4 years of my life to him, so it’s okay now if I follow my passion. He is at that age where he understands these things, I am more comfortable now because he can communicate.”

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Anita accepts TV has undergone a major change in these 5 years regarding the process, the stories being told, and the struggles to top the TRP game. She even pointed out how producers face a tough time with constant probing from channels starting with how the OTT boom is a major cause. “TV was way bigger then, with OTT coming in there are a lot more challenges. The channel wants to know what is going on, they want to be involved, but they are hesitant. Earlier TV was bigger so they would spend a lot more. Due to another platform now TV has become restricted. But it will always be there, TV has a reach bigger than OTT too, it hits the masses,” she says.

During the discussion, Anita also shared her thoughts on TV being considered a regressive medium that dishes out repetitive content. Anita explained, “Anupamaa is the number one show today, and eventually you have to give the audiences what they want. I thought Yeh Hai Mohabbatein was progressive, and it did well. Even with Anupamaa, the show is progressive, but some flavors might seem repetitive. The audience doesn’t mind if it is repetitive.”

Anita, who earned her stripes playing negative roles like Shagun in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Vishakha in Naagin 5, and now Devika in Suman Indori, didn’t want to go down that route as she made her comeback. “I was waiting to play a positive role, but once you play a negative role on TV, it is difficult to convince the producer (to offer such a role). In 5 years, I have only been offered negative roles, so I gave up and accepted a grey role in Suman Indori. I always thought my character Shagun (Yeh Hai Mohabbatein) was put in a situation where she had to be grey,” she says.

Anita, however, is happy that TV is a woman’s medium. “I love how women are portrayed on TV, it is the only space where I can confidently say it is women-oriented. Anupamaa is such a powerful character. It is that space where women get all the importance.”

In her journey spanning over a few decades, Anita has also done some films but didn’t pursue that over time. ” I like to take up work that comes my way. I have never been stuck up that I have to do a film only. I come from a middle-class background and I feel god has given me so much, so when opportunities come my way I don’t like to reject them. Films are difficult, you have to be out there, you have to have connections. It is not easy to bag a great role in films, and honestly, I started with TV, it has given me so much. I am very proud to be a TV actor. I rather do what comes my way rather than go and ask people for work.”

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Being someone who has witnessed stardom on TV, Anita feels that era is long gone. Today, making your mark is tougher than it used to be. “Stardom doesn’t exist on TV or films unless you are a Shah Rukh or a Kareena or an Alia Bhatt. I recently watched a movie and didn’t even know who the actresses were. The Golden Period is gone. It is not only difficult to make a name for yourself on TV or OTT, but also in films, you have to work hard. There is so much going on right now that to make your place is more difficult than ever.”