Saare Jahan Se Accha's Kritika Kamra on moving beyond TV: 'TV shows are TRP drives, don’t want to be a part of that ecosystem' - Exclusive

Saare Jahan Se Accha's Kritika Kamra on moving beyond TV: 'TV shows are TRP drives, don’t want to be a part of that ecosystem' - Exclusive

Actress Kritika Kamra, who began her career with television, has steadily built her presence on OTT platforms and in films. In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, she opened up about her latest Netflix series 'Saare Jahan Se Accha', her journey from television to digital platforms, and why she has stepped away from TV despite its massive reach.

Speaking about her role in Saare Jahan Se Accha, where she plays a journalist, Kamra said: "I liked it a lot. I have played the character of a journalist before, but this time, this journalist is one of those whom I personally respect a lot. People who know the role of the media in a democracy, and how to speak truth to power… I know how risky it is. The character itself is quite inspirational.”

From Daily TV Sets to OTT Experiments

Reflecting on her move from television to OTT, Kritika said that her early years in TV gave her invaluable technical training.

“Whatever I have learned on television, it has helped me a lot. Television gives you a platform. If you practice a skill every day, it becomes second nature. Acting in front of a camera is a different skill, and television taught me that.”

But leaving the comfort of daily shoots came with its own challenges. “The most difficult thing was to sit at home. After shooting every day, suddenly I left it overnight with the hope that I will do something else. That was difficult for me.”

Her breakthrough on OTT came with Tandav

“I think more than what I wanted, I knew what I didn’t want to do. Tandav ticked all the boxes, it had Saif Ali Khan, Ali Abbas Zafar, and was on Amazon Prime Video. My part was also very interesting. I had waited a lot before that because I didn’t want to accept just anything.”

Since then Kritika has consciously chosen projects that she believes are a step ahead of her previous work.

On Working with Pratik Gandhi

Kritika Kamra also spoke warmly about her co-star Pratik Gandhi, who plays a RAW agent.

“He is genuinely a very deserving actor, an amazing actor and a very good person. When good things happen with good people, you feel very happy. I have always had that feeling for him. I’m always cheering for him, and I’m a fan.”

Having done drama and thrillers, Kritika now hopes to step into more romantic stories.

“I am not actively chasing, but I really want to do a love story now. On television, people recognised me for romantic roles. After that, I haven’t done a proper love story. I hope that because Saiyaraa has become such a big hit, more dramas and love stories will be written.”

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Why She Won’t Return to Television

While many fans wonder if she would ever return to TV, Kritika made her stance clear.

“It’s not about right or wrong content. It’s about the trapping of that medium. The reach of television is unparalleled, but its biggest strength is also its weakness. Because of the TRP-driven system, things become repetitive and formula-driven. This is not the fault of any creator—it’s the ecosystem. And that is what I don’t want to be a part of anymore, because I have already done it.”

Even if offered a strong script, Kritika believes the system would ultimately dilute it.

“I did many shows on television which were very good concepts, but because they were written daily, they changed. Today, there is not much risk being taken. So, even if you bring a very good concept, it will eventually become formulaic.”