Rohit Roy terms TV a 'dustbin medium', slams actors' lack of 'dignity' and 'grace'
Actor Rohit Roy, who began his career on television and became known for shows such as Swabhimaan (1995-1998) and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand (2001-2005), has described TV as a "dustbin medium" and said cinema is for “posterity”. Roy, who has also appeared in films such as Fashion (2008) and Shootout at Lokhandawala (2007), made the remarks while speaking about the difference between television and films.
In an interview on the Kindle Cast YouTube channel, Roy also spoke about what he said was a lack of creativity in Indian television and weighed in on the hierarchy that often places television actors below film actors in Bollywood. He highlighted that television actors do not conduct themselves with the same “grace” and “dignity” as film stars and linked that to how they are viewed in the industry.
Asked whether the television industry has become more professional but less devoted to the craft, Roy said, “This question has been asked of me several times, and I sometimes feel that I shouldn’t come across as ungrateful. But, television is a dustbin medium. You watch it today, it’s like yesterday’s newspaper. Tomorrow, you forget about it. So, in India, unfortunately, with the amount of content being created and the same kind of content being created, there’s hardly any creativity.”
The actor emphasised that, unlike Swabhimaan, there are several shows he has acted in that people forget.
"Quite honestly, television actors don’t have the carriage that film actors have," Roy said, observing that movie stars maintain a “graceful, dignified, stylish, cool” front in public. By contrast, he criticised the behaviour and sartorial choices of television actors at events, arguing they lack necessary restraint.
"You have to conduct yourself with a certain amount of grace, dignity. You can’t do hoo-haa and make stupid comments because you know the paps are there," he added, while calling out an unnamed TV star for dressing skimpily.
When the host told him that he seemed to have “internalised this hierarchy”, Roy replied that “cinema is for posterity” and again called television a "dustbin medium." He also compared the difference between the two to playing cricket for India and playing in the Ranji. In the interview, Roy repeatedly contrasted television with cinema, describing TV as forgettable and films as work that lasts.
Roy was last seen in the 2025 crime thriller, Controll, featuring actors Thakur Anoop Singh, Priya Anand and Denzil Smith in key roles.
The actor also played a crucial role in the 2024 JioHotstar series, Karmma Calling (2024). The Ruchi Narain directorial featured actors Raveena Tandon, Namrata Sheth and Varun Sood in key roles.
He also featured in the reality series, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 (2023).- EndsPublished By: Anurag BohraPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 16:19 ISTRead more | Rohit Roy opens up about struggles and approaching Karan Johar for work
