TV reaches every home in the world: Khushbu

Chennai

Chennai: As someone with a ringside view, I feel it is wonderful how far our entertainment industry has travelled and continues to reinvent itself.  We have grown a lot technically, which is why we can make a Baahubali on a minimum budget (when compared to international budget outlays) and come up with a classy product. The market is much bigger today and the risk factor huge. The gamble is far higher since the money invested in a film is massive and the business of cinema has changed.

FRIENDS FOR ALL TIME
As someone from the older generation of stars, I feel that as actors we all had great fun in those days. It was not about partying or about being on Page 3. It was about the kind of friends we made. There was no mudslinging and we were all very secure about each other. I miss those days when we all used to travel together, kept food for each other and stayed up for friends to get back from work. Today it is about finishing your shot and getting back into your caravan and closing the door until called for the next shot. We used to know the technicians, the light boy, the boy who brought lunch. Even now, when I see the old hands, I shout out, ìHi Mani, how are you?î And he responds with a ìHi Khushî, and not a ìHello, Madam.î We were all one big family then, but things have changed and become very mechanical today.

SURVIVAL GAME
For us, professionalism meant doing four shifts a day and being on time. A 9 a.m. shoot meant we were ready with make-up etc. and ready for the shoot at 8. 45 a.m. For a sunrise shot we turned up at the spot at 4 a.m., ready to roll. It is my opinion that only people who are professional will survive the longest in this industry. A hero or heroineís market changes every Friday. If you are good at your job, you will last.

TV IS EVERYTHING
There was a time when people used to look down on television, that it was not for stars. But not anymore. That perception has taken a U turn, simply because of the visibility and the way the medium reaches every home not just within the country, but all over the world. Just look at Bollywood. Every star is on every channel, promoting his/her movie or simply connecting. We in Tamil cinema need to grow up a bit and acknowledge that TV is not smaller than cinema. It is a great medium through which to express oneís thoughts, views and talents.

BEING PREPARED
I never thought I had such speaking skills, but TV showed me a way to speak on issues that I am passionate about. My show, Simply Khushbu, gives me the freedom to be what I am, someone with no pretensions. When I am called by national channels for a prime time debate, I never know what questions they are going to throw at me, so I go fully prepared. I am not Google, so if I do not know something, I tell them I am not aware of it. Likewise, if I am wrong about something I do not hesitate to say ësorryí because I strongly feel you do not become a smaller person because you made a mistake. I am told the younger generation is a lot like that and appreciates frankness.  I see a lot of youngsters showing an interest and concern for society, we see that in some of our movies as well, today. I want a lot of young people to come forward and take an active interest in politics. Obama became President when he was 48, but he made his preparations much earlier. We always complain about our ministers, but we all should do our bit to change the quality of political life. There are a lot of young faces in the entertainment field which is very good. I wish Chennai had as many youngsters getting into politics at an early age and making informed choices.