Seema Pahwa says she refuses to train starkids when trained actors are not getting work: ‘Hindi cinema is selling faces now, not stories’

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Actor-filmmaker Seema Pahwa is a veteran of Hindi cinema having completed over four decades as an actor. Having made a mark in theatre, television, cinema, and OTT, she has earned the reputation of not just being a stellar actor and a wonderful teacher, but a candid commentator of the present scenario of Indian cinema. In an interview to Bollywood Thikana, Seema spoke about how there is a need for Hindi cinema to find its roots, and how the present scenario isn’t allowing trained actors to thrive.

Taking the case of her own children, who have graduated in acting from reputed colleges, and are undergoing intense training in theatre, Seema said, “They believe their decision is wrong. They say nothing that we’ve taught them has any value in the present system. They rue the fact that we made them actors, and not stars.” Pointing out how she didn’t really ‘launch’ her children like how many other actors do, Seema said, “We asked them train more, do theatre more, and even though they are doing all of it, they are nowhere.”

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However, Seema is quite practical about the concept of nepotism, star kids, and the huge amounts of money that is being invested in such careers. “Why would I say star kids shouldn’t come to cinema. Just like how I want my kids to move ahead, even others would have similar expectations, right?” asked Seema, who just said that there needs to be some sort of balance in the amount of money invested in star kids and actors with starry aspirations.

“There are so many actors who are trained from FTII or NSD, etc… why aren’t they getting cast in any film. I know of someone who is an acting graduate and a theatre artist, who quit acting and left the city because of lack of offers,” said Seema, painting quite the stark picture about Hindi cinema of today. “Earlier, directors and producers had the say, and that’s why you had talent coming in from all over. Now, it is more of a package system that is brought into place to launch someone into films. In fact, some filmmakers reach out to me to train an actor, and do workshops with them. But I flatly refuse to do so,” said Seema.

Delving deeper into the reasoning behind not training an acting aspirant, Seema said, “Why not just use trained actors instead of bringing untrained people on board, and then teaching them acting. Give the deserving a chance. What new are these untrained actors going to bring to cinema? Why waste that money and investment?” She also made a scathing commentary on how Hindi cinema is ‘selling a face, and not selling a story.’ Adding to her criticism about the present scenario of Hindi cinema, she said, “Of course, those who are really talented and have gone through the grind wouldn’t have the resources to spend on grooming. They might not be beautiful, but they are definitely talented.”

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Signing off on this topic, Seema bluntly said that many of these struggling actors are trampling on their own dreams to sustain a life in the city. “They are here after a lot of struggle, and parents spend money on them too. They are rattled by guilt, and pick up some non-acting jobs, but the actor in them is never dead. But yeah, there is no point beating around the bush. Our industry is not about art anymore. It is all about business.”

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Seema Pahwa says she refuses to train starkids when trained actors are not getting work: ‘Hindi cinema is selling faces now, not stories’

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