On Vatsal Sheth's birthday on August 5, we take a look at Bollywood actors who found a new lease of life by shifting their focus to the small screen...
Updated On: 2019-08-05 01:31 PM IST
Vatsal Sheth: He began his career on television with the youth-centric show Just Mohabbat, but soon shifted his focus to films, and starred in movies like Taarzan: The Wonder Car, Paying Guests and Heroes. As his movie career failed to take off, he returned to the small screen with a negative role in Ek Hasina Thi and won accolades for the same.
Ruslaan Mumtaz: Though he is still remembered as the MP3 actor, Ruslaan has found more popularity amongst the television audience, thanks to his shows such as Balika Vadhu, Encounter. Ruslaan made his Bollywood debut in 2007 with MP3: Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar and struggling hard to make a mark in the film industry, moved to TV in 2013, where he made his television debut with the role of Dhruv in Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara.
Ronit Roy: During his early days in the industry, Roy did unremarkable films like Jaan Tere Naam, Sainik. He finally enjoyed success on the small screen with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasautii Zindagi Kay and Adaalat. In recent years, Roy tried his luck at the movies again with decent success in films like Udaan, Boss, 2 States, to name a few.
Monica Bedi: Monica Bedi made her Bollywood debut in the 1995 film Surakshaa opposite Saif Ali Khan, which underperformed at the box office. She appeared in a string of flops until David Dhawan cast her in his film Jodi No 1 (2001) starring Govinda, Sanjay Dutt and Twinkle Khanna. She grabbed headlines for her relationship with the dreaded gangster Abu Salem and went missing from the film circuit. After a hiatus of 10 years, Monica made a comeback in 2013 by bagging a negative role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's TV show Saraswatichandra.
Apurva Agnihotri: He was launched by Subhash Ghai in Pardes, but subsequently was seen in mediocre films like Pyar Koi Khel Nahin and Krodh. Apurva eventually became famous as Armaan Suri in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, and was later seen in Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai. He has also been seen in a few web series recently.
Nakuul Mehta: He made a much-hyped debut along with Adhyayan Suman in the 2008 movie Haal-e-dil. The movie bombed so badly that Nakuul disappeared from the film scene altogether. He became popular as Aditya, the lead of the TV show Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara. He was also appreciated for his lead role in Ishqbaaz opposite Surbhi Chandna.
Avinash Wadhawan: He did a number of films in the 90s, like Geet (with Divya Bharti), Junoon (with Pooja Bhatt) and Dhanwan (with Manisha Koirala and Karisma Kapoor). However, his film career fizzled out pretty soon. Wadhawan is also part of the famous TV show Balika Vadhu in which he played a middle-aged character Anup.
Aashish Chaudhary: Considering the number of flops he delivered, Chaudhary was lucky to have acted in the number of films that he did. Except for the multi-starrer Dhamaal, most of his other movies bombed at the box office. He was, however, appreciated for his role as Raghav in the TV show Ek Mutthi Aasmaan. He was also part of a Dev and Beyhadh 2.
Aasif Sheikh: Remember the evergreen romantic number Bin Tere Sanam? It was picturised on Aashif and Ruchika Panday in a 1991 film named Yaara Dildara. But the film failed, and Aashif's hopes of becoming a hero soon faded. He continued doing bit roles in movies until he gained popularity as the boss in the comedy television show Yes Boss and now Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain.
Ravi Behl: Having impressed in Narsimha, the future seemed promising for Behl. But with duds like Boy Friend, Dalal and Pyar Ka Rog, his graph fell swiftly. Behl found fulfilment as the co-producer, judge and host of the evergreen dancing reality show, Boogie Woogie.
Eva Grover: She tried her hands in films like Krishna, Smuggler, and Dharma Karma with the screen name Karina Grover, but failed to taste success. After moving to the small screen, Grover got important roles in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Jhansi Ki Rani. Her most famous character has been that of the vamp, Niharika Kapoor, she portrayed in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain.
Rupali Ganguly: She got a big break in the Govinda-starrer Do Ankhen Barah Hath. But, the film failed to impress and so did Ganguly. She is now best remembered as Monisha from the hilarious TV show Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Ganguly was also appreciated for her character of Pinky Ahuja in Parvarrish.
Ayub Khan: In spite of being Dilip Kumar's nephew, Ayub couldn't get a foothold in the film industry. Most of his movies like Khilona, Salaami and Mashooq flopped, and in spite of an extended run, he couldn't resurrect his career. On TV, he was part of popular shows like Uttaran and Ek Hasina Thi.
Shekhar Suman: Despite making his debut in Utsav opposite Rekha, Suman had a tough ride in Bollywood. None of his subsequent movies did well, and film offers dried up. This is when Suman took up the TV sitcom Dekh Bhai Dekh, and was an instant hit with his comic timing. He went on to play the lead in the detective series Reporter, and hosted the hugely popular comedy show Movers n Shakers.
Vivek Mushran: Following the success of Subhash Ghai's Saudagar, Vivek Mushran became famous as the Ilu Ilu hero. However, his popularity did not last long as all his subsequent films failed. The move to shift focus to TV has worked well for him, as he has been part of popular series like Son Pari, Parvarrish and Nisha Aur Uske Cousins.