Yogita Bihani, who has moved from TVCs to TV serials with Sony show, Dil Hi To Hai, regards both the mediums as different as chalk and cheese. This Miss India 2018 finalist bagged the above show on the back of her being part of the Dus Ka Dum promo as a simple girl with Salman Khan.
“While in the above format, we need to tell our story in 30 seconds flat, tube requires that we live and emote our characters with all their respective layering, for months on end. Also, casting for TVCs is not based on acting. You need to fit the character. Last, but not the least, a daily soap is a 24*7 job, hardly leaving me time for anything else”, says Yogita, who has done several ads.
“Having said that, ads also appeal to me due to their interesting concepts and screenplays, so will keep doing them as well,” adds Yogita.
She is quite happy with her modern woman character in her debut Balaji Telefilms serial, who stands up for herself and what is right. “It is very good, for today, society is coming around to accepting that it not wrong for women to think about themselves as well.”
When we ask about low ratings of Dil Hi To Hai, she says, “I look at it from a different prism. Rather than feeling that something is wrong with our story, I think we just need to get more people to sample our wares, as whoever has tuned in has become hooked.”
Looking ahead, she would be game for standalone web formats as well. When we ask about doing bold roles, she says, “I will be more cautious about the kind of scripts I choose. There are a host of factors we need to consider before signing on the dotted line.”
Returning back to TVCs, she does not have major issues with known filmy names dominating the big ad market. “This does not automatically mean that TVC actors don’t get work, for so many ads are being made daily. We also need to appreciate the fact that a popular name does bring a larger value to the brand, e.g. had we taken another actor as opposed to Amitabh Bachchan/Nagarjuna in my Kalyan jeweller piece, it would not have resonated so much. And let’s face it, brands need bang for their money.”
In closing, this Delhi gal credits her show, Dil Hi To Hai’s unit for being very patient with her. “For it does take time to adapt to a new format, as discussed above. I have also given my 100% effort and can see the change for myself.”
