\|/ :: Devon Ke Dev Mahadev- Article Archive :: \|/ - Page 39

Summer holdiays mean fun and games, joyrides, exciting trips. But for these Tellyboppers, it is just shooting, home and back on the sets. In a bid to fulfil their reel dreams, they are losing out on real vacations.

As the angry sun breathes fire, turning classrooms into an inferno, text books are stacked aside and comics thrust open. Wish summer vacations were a little longer! Children, the world over, wait for their days in the sun when Superman would spell super-fun and Batman, with a flap of his wings, launch a flight of fancy. But that's for the school-going regulars. Our telly tubbies, however, have a different tale to tell. Sucked into the reel world and working round the clock, vacation for them is essentially all work and no play. Popularity, they say, comes for a price.

Go, Goa, Gone
Thirteen-year-old Mahima Makwana aka Rachna in Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke made a trip to Goa for two days, recently. And thejourney, she says, is "unforgettable". "I shoot every day, and this was my first break in one and a half years. I had asked for a four-day off, but got only two. Now, I want to go there at least once every year. At times, when friends show me pictures of their trips, I feel left out, but what to do, work is more important."

Sadhil Kapoor, eight, who plays Ganesha in the TRP grabbing Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev, goes to malls and plays with friends after shoots, but misses the ghumna phirna. He says, "Mann to karta hai ki Goa jaoon, since I like the sea, but there's nothing I can do." His father, Kunal, says, "We took him out on a holiday in November before the show started, but abhi iska track chal raha hai, so there are no plans of a vacation as of now. Once his school reopens, there will be lesser scope."

Mr jealousy
There's no hiding jealousy when their friends are traversing the world while the child actors are busy 'building their careers'. Aanchal Munjal, 16, Raavi in Parrvarish — Kuchh Khattee KuchhMeethi, says she yearns for a break, but it doesn't come easy. "Whenever I get two-three days off, I leave for a weekend getaway. This vacation, my friends have taken off to every part of the world; posting pictures from there. I sometimes message them saying, 'I am jealous'. What else can I do?"

Aashika Bhatia, 14, who plays Ginny in the same serial and has been acting since nine, says despite all the razzmatazz, she does feel lonely when her friends are having a fun time, while she has to report to work. "I have a lot of fun shooting, but I don't get time to go on vacations. Sometimes I feel lonely. There are plans that I make with my friends, but they never work out. I can't remember when was the last time I saw a movie." Bhavya Gandhi aka Tappu in Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chasmah has been shooting non-stop for eight years. "But I have no complaints. I got to visit so many countries while shooting, it would never have been the same otherwise."

Home alone
Their vacations ruled out, many are left having a fun time at home. Their happiness comes with the acceptance that reel is real. Shivansh Kotia, eight, who plays Naksh in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, says, "My school will open on June 10. I couldn't go anywhere since I was busy shooting. I would divide my time between home and sets. At times, there would be an occasional trip to a mall. But there are other kids in the serial, including my sister. I take along my toy cars and other playthings and enjoy a good time with my co-stars."

For his 13-year-old sister, Navika, who plays Chikki in the same serial, summer vacation means either a trip to her dadi's place in Mumbai or her nani's house in Ajmer. But she has had a working holiday this time around. "It's been a year that I haven't met my cousins. Hope I get to meet them during Christmas. Thank God, my brother is there for company."

Leave alone a vacation, going to school too has been a challenge for those sucked into the whirlpool of name and fame. Seven-year-old Raj Bhanusali, who has just finished his stint as Bal Hanuman in Jai Jai Jai Bajrangbali would yearn for school, but would be going there for the first time in two years. His mother, Savi, explains, "Since he played the lead, he was plying between Mumbai, our home, and the shooting site in Baroda. At times, he would throw tantrums and plead with us to take him elsewhere. Back in Mumbai, he would yearn to be on the sets. Balancing both the worlds isn't easy for him. We had special tutors coming to the sets to teach him. He would just appear for his annual exams in school. We even asked the production house to reduce his dates, but they couldn't, considering that he was the lead. At last they decided to take a leap and he was replaced. However, one good part about shooting was that he learnt a lot of things, mythology being one of them."

Starry heights
Stories abound on how child stars have grown up to be spoilt brats. Balancing academics and acting is no mean feat and add to that the responsibilities that rest on their tender shoulders. Many have, in fact, grown up complaining about a missed childhood. "Having a grip on priorities is the key in such cases. The demands on a child star is akin to the pressure on a working adult. The real question is, at such a tender age, are these children really ready for it?" asks Michelle Manuel, clinical psychologist and facilitator.

So, what's the way out? Sarita, mother of Sparsh Khanchandani aka Raashi in Parrvarish — Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi, says what's important is to give the child a normal life. "I make sure Sparsh does everything that a normal child does. She does take her vacation, but we plan it well in advance, so that the production house doesn't face problems. Recently, she went for a scout and guide camp. My husband and I ensure that she doesn't lose out on small pleasures in life because there are certain things money can't buy. I am responsible and answerable to her once she grows up." Sarita says after this year, Sparsh would be concentrating on her studies. "She won't be working at least till her graduation. After that, it will be her choice if she wants to take up acting or anything else," she says.

Shilpa — mother of popular child artiste Swini Khara, currently on a break from acting because of her Class X board exams — says her feat as an actress instilled in her a sense of achievement. "She used to enjoy that phase (of acting) and is enjoying this too. I don't think she missed out on anything. Right now, she is happy with her dance classes and is taking part in various festivals in peace. During her acting days, she got to visit many countries and also won quite a few awards. This gave her immense confidence." Madhusree Ghosh

Unlike other kids who have just returned refreshed from a much-needed break, it was all work and no play for chhotto stars of Bengali TV, Asmee, Soham, Bittu, Tithi and Moumi. For these child actors, who keep us engaged all throughout the year with their heart-warming performances on TV, summer vacations is not the time they can spend watching cartoons or go trekking with friends.

Seven-year-old Moumi aka Ichchhe of the popular serial Bodhu Kon Alo Laglo Chokhe, is a student of Mahadevi Birla School. Since she plays an important character in the serial, the little girl had to be on the sets day and night. When quizzed about her holidays, Moumi says, "I really wanted to enjoy summer vacations like my friends. But I couldn't go anywhere. Sometimes the shooting continues till wee hours. Khub khatni hoy. All my friends have gone out of station. Once I had gone to Gangtok with my family. But that was long ago. I wish I could go somewhere this time around, but I didn't get time."

Does she pursue acting against her wishes and does she miss all the fun things that other kids do? Moumi promptly denied, says, "I enjoy acting immensely."

Even for eight-year-old Asmee, who plays the eponymous Sati in the serial, life is all about getting dolled up as a goddess and delivering lines. Talking about her summer holidays, the young actress recounts one such weekend off, when she had gone to Digha with her family. However, Asmee, who has also worked in the show, Duorani, and has acted alongside Prosenjit Chatterjee in the film, Bikram Singha, seems quite happy with the present arrangement.

"I have the lead role in Sati. I know I have to work very hard. Every week, I get a day off. And then, I spend the entire day drawing or playing computer games. I also like spending time with my baby sister," she smiles.

Ever since Tithi started playing Jhilik in Maa, holidays have become a distant dream. A student of Class VIII in GD Birla Centre of Education, Tithi gets a break from going on the sets, only when there's a sudden twist in the tale. "Last year, due to some developments in the plot, I got a break for a few days. At that time, we all went to Puri, Digha and Meghalaya. But, this year I had a packed schedule. And whenever I get a break from acting, I study. I get an off on the second Sunday of every month, as per the industry norm," she shares, adding, "Right now, I'm in Darjeeling shooting for Maa. I've been associated with the show for four years now. So, the cast and crew members have almost become family. Still, we are all here to work and it's certainly not a vacation."

And Tithi is not alone when it comes to balancing studies and work. Srimoy, the cuddly little Bittu from Dance Bangla Dance, has to travel from Howrah to Rajarhat every day to be on the sets. And it's been more than a year since this 10-year-old, self-proclaimed computer-addict got a holiday. "Now, where's the time? Porashona toh korte hoy. Besides, none of my friends stays in the neighbourhood. Even if they did, I couldn't have played with them as all of them have gone on a vacation. So, as and when I get a break, I play games on my computer."

Since sets have almost turned into their virtual homes, like Bittu, the eight-year-old Soham too has found his solace in yet another virtual world — that of computers. Soon after his stint in Aparajito got over, Soham found himself playing Piku in Ashar Alo. In between, the boy could only manage to visit Digha once with his family for a few days. "Sometimes I have to shoot from six in the morning and it continues till midnight. After that I get so exhausted that nothing interests me. If I get some time off, I play on my computer or visit my mamabari," says the.

Are the parents listening?