At the trailer launch of the upcoming film The Sabarmati Report, actress Ridhi Dogra, who got to share screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan and Salman Khan in Tiger 3, addressed a pressing issue of the bias against casting actors with TV backgrounds.
Ridhi Dogra, along with co-stars Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna, and producer Ekta Kapoor, attended the event held in Mumbai, where the topic of “TV vs. film actors” took center stage. Dogra candidly shared her experience, revealing how despite receiving praise for her acting skills, her background in television has often resulted in lost film opportunities.
“Aapke chehre pe koi nahi bolta, to look cool. Kyunki aajkal ek bohot hi achchi cheez hai bolna ki ‘we are inclusive.’ (No one will say it to your face because it’s trendy to say ‘we are inclusive’),” she remarked, noting the industry’s superficial praise that doesn’t translate to real opportunities. She further added, “The next day, you’ll find out that they won’t cast you in the film because you have worked in television.” Dogra admitted feeling hurt and helpless over the discrimination but chooses to focus on her work instead of dwelling on negativity.
She expressed gratitude for collaborators like Ekta Kapoor and director Atlee, who overlook such biases and prioritize talent. Vikrant Massey shared that when he started his career, there was indeed a bias against TV actors, but he believes the industry is slowly evolving. “Talent should matter eventually, not the medium,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of skill over background.
‘The Sabarmati Report’, starring Ridhi Dogra, Vikrant Massey, and Raashii Khanna, will release in theaters on November 15.
The Sabarmati Report | Song – Raja Ram