MUMBAI: They started their careers in Bollywood with big dreams and aspirations, but it was the small screen that gave them mega status. The three biggest heroes of television – Ronit Roy for Bandini on NDTV Imagine, Sudesh Berry for Agle Janam Mohe Bitwa Hi Kijo on Zee TV and Ayub Khan for Uttaran on Colors – all started their careers with films but today are ruling the roost via their respective shows on television.

Roy has acted in 22 films till date and occasionally dabbles with films. His last release was Zoya Akhtar’s Luck By Chance where he had a guest appearance. But it was for his roles like Mr.Bajaj in Kasauti Zindagi Ki and Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, that Roy achieved cult status in India. Today, he plays a zamindar’s role in Bandini and has ensured that his loyal fans have switched their loyalties from Star Plus where he played those immortal roles to another channel, NDTV Imagine, which is airing Bandini.

If Khan knew that his absence from the serial, Uttaran would result in TRP’s dropping, he would have certainly started his career on television. Khan began his career too with films and has acted in 29 films. He is a favourite of director Prakash Jha and has acted in all his films from the famous National award winning Mrityudand to recent films like Gangajal and Apaharan. In Uttaran, Ayub plays the character f Jogi Thakur and his basic kindness and humaneness has given the show a new found popularity which breaks away from the stereo type image of the evil landlord. On Colors, Uttaran has managed to stay on top inspite stiff competition from shows like Balika Vadhu and Na Ana Iss Des Laado.

And lastly, epitomizing the evil and insensitive zamindar is Berry in Zee TV’s top grosser Agle Janam Mohe Bitwa Hi Kijo. The show is a huge hit and is by far the most popular serial in the 9.30pm slot across all General Entertainment Channels. Berry too like Khan and Roy, started his career with films. He has acted in 29 films like Ghayal, Refugee and the recently released 99 with Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan.

All these three actors still continue shooting for films whenever a good film comes by. Khan grabbed his chance to woo Preity Zinta in Dil Chahta Hai, while Roy took his chances in Luck By Chance. Berry too acted in 99. So while these actors taste tremendous success and enjoy a fan following on the small screen, all playing landlords, it is the lure of the big screen that keeps attracting them to take on small and meaningless roles, which do not justify their acting caliber. But who are we to complain as long as they entertain us.