Veteran actor Anita Kanwal says star entourages leave little for character actors

Veteran actor Anita Kanwal, known for television shows such as Banegi Apni Baat and Ssasural Genda Phool, has spoken about feeling "self-destructive" and facing rejection at auditions despite her long body of work.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, the 72-year-old actor also spoke about the high fees charged by leading actors and said their entourages and multiple vanity vans leave little room in a film's budget for character actors.

Kanwal said she has seen major changes over the course of her career and that the experience of being forgotten has been painful for her. She said she has continued to audition for roles, but feels that her work is no longer being valued, even after years in television and films.

Speaking about budgets, Kanwal said, "I am saying this as a character actor. They eat up so much budget of the producer. These 7 vanity vans and 50 people around, that there is nothing left for us. That is the case. The minute it comes to character actors, even in a film with a budget of Rs 250 crore, there is a deduction for us." She said the money spent on top actors and their demands affects what is left for junior co-stars.

Recalling a recent audition, Kanwal said an assistant had asked her to introduce herself. She said, "I am Anita Kanwal and I have been acting since most of you weren't even born." She added, "After that, they all went quiet. I obviously didn't get the part." She also said, "I have been giving auditions, but it seems nobody likes my work anymore. Earlier they used to say my face was overexposed on television. But it's been eight years since I worked on TV. Today, when you watch OTT platforms, the same actors appear in every project. How are they not overexposed? Maybe my time is just not right."

Reflecting on the changes in her career, Kanwal said, "I used to work on 13 shows simultaneously. It hurts a lot when people stop remembering you. It reaches a point where I feel like self-destruction. Just three days ago, I told my daughter, 'Why am I even living? What am I contributing to society or to my craft anymore?' I have given so much to this industry. I have played every kind of role and received so many awards. So who is to blame — me or the industry?"

Kanwal is known for her work in Banegi Apni Baat, Sea Hawks, Sonpari, Sasural Genda Phool and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and has also appeared in films such as Geetanjali and Mujhse Dosti Karoge!.

In the interview, Kanwal spoke about rejection, changing industry practices and the pressure she has felt in recent years. The emotional distress and thoughts of self-destruction she described are part of a deeply personal account, and readers experiencing distress, severe isolation or an overwhelming crisis of self-worth are encouraged to seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional.