In women-oriented television shows, how do the male actors make a mark? Celebs share their take

Be innovative

Sumit Kaul

Since a large part of the audience constitutes women, it is understandable that most TV shows revolve around the female protagonist. That means generally the male characters may not have as much a role to play. Therefore, it becomes imperative that the actor takes whatever is given to him in the script and be innovative in its presentation. I have had directors wanting to take my close-in scenes where I was not even part of the main drama because they wanted a peek into what I, as the character, was thinking and doing.

Prioritise depth

Aadesh Chaudhary

In a women-oriented TV show, I prioritise depth over screen time. Rather than focusing on visibility, I aim to develop a character with a rich back story, complex emotions and meaningful relationships. This ensures my character resonates with the audience, even in smaller scenes. I also work on creating unique traits and quirks that set my character apart, whether it’s a sense of humour, hidden talent or an intriguing flaw. For performances, I lean toward subtlety, conveying emotions through expressions, body language and tone rather than dramatics. Collaboration with the writers is essential.

Lasting impact

Ishaan Singh Manhas

TV shows predominantly focus on female-centric narratives because the target audience largely consists of female viewers. This trend doesn’t diminish the significance of male characters; instead, it offers a unique space to leave a lasting impact. As an actor, I believe that crafting a memorable performance is about understanding the layers of your character and how it fits into the broader story. Even in shows marketed as female-centric, male roles often provide critical support and drive pivotal story arcs.

Build a connect

Srikant Dwivedi

Many TV shows portray women as decision-makers, taking on family responsibilities and leading with strength. This is a refreshing change from big cinema, which is often male-oriented. When it comes to television, it creates a necessary balance, highlighting women’s roles in a progressive manner. Now, coming to how I approach my performance in such shows and how I make it impactful—I’d like to say that I’ve primarily worked in mythological dramas. As an actor, I don’t believe in doing anything ‘extra’ to make a character stand out. Acting, to me, is about embodying the character as written. If I overthink my performance or focus solely on making it impactful, I feel it takes away from the authenticity of acting. True acting is about give and take—connecting naturally with your co-actors and the story.

Embracing the reality

Aditya Deshmukh

Ultimately, it’s about embracing the reality of television storytelling. While some shows offer a different pattern, like my Army-based series, the essence of daily soaps remains women-centered. As actors, our task is to make our performances impactful within these frameworks, understanding that the audience’s engagement is the ultimate reward.