Ever since the 2025 National Film Awards has been announced, it has stirred conversations around winners like Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey, and director Sudipto Sen. Now, television star Rupali Ganguly has raised an important point, where is the recognition for TV actors? Recently, the Anupamaa actor called on the government to create a National Award category for television artistes.
Rupali Ganguly wants National Film Award for TV actors
From regional to YouTube content creators, there are National Awards for everyone, Rupali Ganguly questions, why there's nothing for TV actors. She expressed her disappointment and said that the small screen actors have worked relentlessly, even during the pandemic, while others had the option to delay shoots or work from home.
Rupali Ganguly, who has become one of Indian television’s most recognisable faces, emphasised the disparity in recognition between film and TV. She told Viral Bhayani, "When a film star works continuously for two days, it makes headlines. But no one talked about how we, the TV artists, worked non-stop from 6 am to 6 pm during the pandemic. I request the government to consider us also. We work very hard. It’ll be nice to have some validation."
The conversation around her comments gained further attention due to the return of Smriti Irani, former Information & Broadcasting Minister, to her iconic TV role of Tulsi Virani in the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Ganguly said she hopes Smriti Irani’s return to TV will help speed up the process of creating National Awards for TV actors. "It’s a big moment for the TV industry. Her comeback could help start this important discussion," she said.
Tulsi vs Anupamaa
Meanwhile, fans have been pitting the two powerful female leads, Anupamaa and Tulsi, against each other on social media. Capitalising on this buzz, StarPlus released a crossover promo where Anupamaa is seen video, calling Tulsi and welcoming her back to TV.
Producer Ekta Kapoor, however, brushed aside the comparisons. “Rupali is a big star. Anupamaa has done what no other show could in the last seven years. It will continue to be number one,” she told Brut in an interview. Meanwhile, Rupali Ganguly’s Anupamaa is the official Hindi remake of the popular Bengali daily soap Sreemoyee, originally starring Indrani Haldar. The Hindi adaptation has been produced by Rajan Shahi.
Rupali Ganguly wants National Film Award for TV actors
From regional to YouTube content creators, there are National Awards for everyone, Rupali Ganguly questions, why there's nothing for TV actors. She expressed her disappointment and said that the small screen actors have worked relentlessly, even during the pandemic, while others had the option to delay shoots or work from home.
Rupali Ganguly, who has become one of Indian television’s most recognisable faces, emphasised the disparity in recognition between film and TV. She told Viral Bhayani, "When a film star works continuously for two days, it makes headlines. But no one talked about how we, the TV artists, worked non-stop from 6 am to 6 pm during the pandemic. I request the government to consider us also. We work very hard. It’ll be nice to have some validation."
The conversation around her comments gained further attention due to the return of Smriti Irani, former Information & Broadcasting Minister, to her iconic TV role of Tulsi Virani in the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Ganguly said she hopes Smriti Irani’s return to TV will help speed up the process of creating National Awards for TV actors. "It’s a big moment for the TV industry. Her comeback could help start this important discussion," she said.
Tulsi vs Anupamaa
Meanwhile, fans have been pitting the two powerful female leads, Anupamaa and Tulsi, against each other on social media. Capitalising on this buzz, StarPlus released a crossover promo where Anupamaa is seen video, calling Tulsi and welcoming her back to TV.
Producer Ekta Kapoor, however, brushed aside the comparisons. “Rupali is a big star. Anupamaa has done what no other show could in the last seven years. It will continue to be number one,” she told Brut in an interview. Meanwhile, Rupali Ganguly’s Anupamaa is the official Hindi remake of the popular Bengali daily soap Sreemoyee, originally starring Indrani Haldar. The Hindi adaptation has been produced by Rajan Shahi.
