Niharika Chouksey on TV industry stigma: 'Television is the best school'
Synopsis
Niharika Chouksey has taken on one of Indian entertainment's quietest debates head-on — why television still carries a stigma despite its unmatched reach and production demands. Her defence of the medium, and her measured ambition around reality shows, reveals an actress building deliberately rather than chasing prestige.
Key Takeaways
Niharika Chouksey questioned why sections of the industry 'look down on television,' calling it 'the best school.' She highlighted that TV actors work up to 14 hours a day with immediate script delivery, demanding more discipline than OTT productions.
Chouksey noted the industry is changing for the better, with female-centric films gaining stronger footing.
She named Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa as a reality show she wants to do, and expressed interest in Khatron Ke Khiladi once she overcomes personal fears.
She is currently playing Anu in Tumm Se Tumm Tak under the Studio LSD banner.
Actress Niharika Chouksey has spoken candidly about the persistent stigma surrounding the television industry, questioning why the medium continues to be undervalued by sections of the entertainment world. The actress, currently starring in the Studio LSD production Tumm Se Tumm Tak, made her remarks in a recent interview.
Defending Television's Value
'I think I will always enjoy doing television. Even if someone tells me I have to work 14 hours a day, it's good for me because I love staying busy. I don't understand why some people look down on television. Television is the best school. From camera facing to memorizing long dialogues, it teaches you everything,' Chouksey said.
She drew a pointed comparison between television and digital platforms, noting that the pace and pressure of TV production demand a distinct discipline. 'On television, you have to be very quick because tomorrow's episode has to be telecast. Fresh scripts come in, and you have to deliver them immediately. In web shows, there are workshops and more preparation time. Compared to that, television involves a lot more hard work,' she added.
A Changing Industry Landscape
Chouksey also reflected on broader shifts within the entertainment sector, expressing optimism about the direction the industry is heading. 'Change is the only constant. I think the industry is changing for the better. Earlier, television was more female-oriented, but now films are also giving women stronger opportunities. Female-centric films are doing well, and that's a wonderful sign for the industry,' she observed.
This comes amid a wider conversation in Indian entertainment about the hierarchy between television, OTT, and cinema — a debate that has intensified as streaming platforms have drawn talent away from traditional broadcast.
Reality Shows on the Radar — But Not Yet
On the question of reality television, Chouksey was measured in her ambitions. 'Right now I just want to work. Reality shows can happen later. I want to strengthen my fan base first so that whenever I do a reality show, I go there to win,' she said. She specifically named Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa as a show she aspires to participate in, citing her love for dance, while also expressing interest in Khatron Ke Khiladi — though she acknowledged needing to overcome personal fears before committing to the stunt-based format.
Current Project
Chouksey is presently playing the character of Anu in Tumm Se Tumm Tak, a production under the Studio LSD banner. The role keeps her firmly rooted in the television space she has championed. With female-led narratives gaining traction across formats, her advocacy for the medium arrives at a moment when the industry is reassessing long-held assumptions about prestige and platform.
Point of View
Which makes Chouksey's remarks notable. Her framing — that TV's relentless pace is a feature, not a flaw — pushes back against a narrative largely driven by streaming platforms with marketing budgets that dwarf broadcast. What mainstream coverage misses is that this stigma has real consequences: it affects casting, pay parity, and which stories get told on which platforms. Chouksey's defence is also a quiet indictment of an industry that celebrates OTT 'craft' while overlooking the technical rigour demanded by daily television.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Niharika Chouksey say about the television industry?
Niharika Chouksey defended television, calling it 'the best school' and questioning why some people look down on the medium. She argued that TV demands greater discipline than OTT platforms due to its rapid production pace and long working hours.
Which show is Niharika Chouksey currently working on?
Niharika Chouksey is currently playing the character of Anu in Tumm Se Tumm Tak, a production under the Studio LSD banner.
Is Niharika Chouksey planning to do reality shows?
Chouksey said she wants to build her fan base before entering reality television. She expressed specific interest in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa due to her love for dance, and in Khatron Ke Khiladi, though she said she needs to overcome personal fears first.
How does Niharika Chouksey compare television to OTT web shows?
She noted that television requires immediate script delivery and up to 14-hour workdays, while OTT productions allow more preparation time through workshops. In her view, television involves significantly more hard work.
What did Niharika Chouksey say about women in the entertainment industry?
Chouksey said the industry is changing for the better, noting that female-centric films are now performing well and that women are receiving stronger opportunities in cinema — a shift she described as 'a wonderful sign for the industry.'
