The 12th Fail actor Vikrant Massey, who first starred in the popular TV show Balika Vadhu as Shyam Singh, recently revealed the reasons behind his decision to exit the television industry. In an exclusive interview on Unfiltered by Samdish, Massey shed light on the challenges he faced in the TV space, why he left serials to star in films, how his wife, Sheetal Thakur, helped him, and more.
“Misogynistic content worked”: Vikrant Massey on leaving TV serials
Vikrant Massey’s journey in the entertainment industry has been nothing short of remarkable. After years of toiling in the TV space and taking on minor roles in various movies, he finally found recognition with the 2017 film A Death in the Gunj. Moreover, his recent film, 12th Fail, once again catapulted him into the limelight.
Despite the success, the actor found himself reflecting on his time in the TV industry, particularly Balika Vadhu, where he gained immense popularity. During the interview, Massey opened up about the peculiar challenges he faced on TV sets.
He shared, “There were many, which were happening repetitively, which is why I left TV. Universally, everyone was doing the same thing. Be it any field, when a certain thing works, only its versions are then replicated. So on TV when misogynistic content worked, which included bahu pe atyavchaar, there were takers as well so people were making just that for TRP.”
Moreover, Vikrant Massey underscored feeling underutilized as an actor, prompting him to believe he could contribute more to the industry. So, in pursuit of a more fulfilling career, Massey made a bold decision to transition from television to film.
Made in Heaven’s actor’s decision to leave television wasn’t without sacrifices. He shared how his savings got exhausted in a year, adding, “My wife Sheetal used to give me pocket money for auditions.” Moreover, the actor talked about Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 3 Idiot inspirations, his relation with money, views on politics, and more.
On the whole, Vikrant Massey’s exit from TV has elevated him to the ranks of actors like Irrfan Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, and more.
