Asha Negi on Rohit Roy's 'dustbin medium' jibe: 'TV gave me everything'
Synopsis
Rohit Roy called TV a 'dustbin medium' — Asha Negi's reply was quieter but sharper. Rather than attacking Roy, she let her own career do the talking: a household name built entirely on television, still recognised by her character's name years later, and now back on screen with a new JioHotstar series.
Key Takeaways
Rohit Roy had described television as a 'dustbin medium,' claiming film stars have superior 'style and class' compared to TV actors.
Asha Negi responded by saying she does not know Roy's intention or 'what type of frustration' prompted the remark, declining to comment directly.
Negi credited Pavitra Rishta — starring Ankita Lokhande and the late Sushant Singh Rajput — with making her a household name, with audiences still calling her by her character name Purvi .
She stated that neither cinema nor OTT could replicate what television gave her in terms of reach and audience connection.
Her new horror-comedy series Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot premiered on 11 September on JioHotstar , running for 40 episodes .
Actress Asha Negi has responded to actor Rohit Roy's controversial description of television as a 'dustbin medium,' saying she cannot speak to the intention or frustration behind the remark — but she remains firmly, gratefully rooted in the small screen that made her a star.
What Rohit Roy Said
In a recent interview, actor Rohit Roy had labelled television a 'dustbin medium' and claimed that film stars possess a level of 'style and class' that television actors lack. The remark drew swift attention across the entertainment industry, prompting several TV personalities to weigh in.
Asha Negi's Measured Response
Speaking to reporters, Asha Negi chose restraint over retaliation. 'I don't know what the intention was behind it, what people go through… What type of frustration they have experienced? I cannot comment on what he said,' she said. Her response stopped short of a direct critique, but left the implication hanging — that the remark may reflect personal disillusionment rather than any objective truth about the medium.
How Television Shaped Asha Negi's Career
Negi's own journey stands as a counter-narrative to Roy's characterisation. She credits her rise entirely to the small screen, particularly her iconic role as Purvi in the long-running drama Pavitra Rishta, which also starred Ankita Lokhande and the late Sushant Singh Rajput. 'Television has given me everything. I became a household name because of television, and till today people still call me Purvi,' she said. Notably, the show remains culturally resonant years after its conclusion — a testament, she argues, to the enduring power of the medium. She added that neither cinema nor OTT has offered her the kind of deep, lasting connect that TV did: 'I don't think OTT or cinema would be able to give me what TV has given me.'
Her Latest Project: Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot
Negi is currently making her return to the screen with the horror-comedy series Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot, which premiered on 11 September on JioHotstar. The 40-episode series, set against the backdrop of Central Indian folklore, stars Negi as Alisha 'Ali' Nigam, a science-driven neuropsychology expert whose search for her missing father pulls her into a web of supernatural mysteries. Actor Vishal Vashishtha co-stars as Baba. The show blends ancient folklore, haunted mysteries and adventure in a format that underscores Negi's continued faith in the television platform.
The Wider Debate: TV vs Film vs OTT
The exchange between Negi and Roy touches on a simmering debate in the Indian entertainment industry. As OTT platforms have risen and Bollywood has faced a series of box-office setbacks, the hierarchies between film, television and digital have grown less fixed — yet the perception that TV occupies a lower cultural rung persists in some quarters. Critics argue this view is increasingly outdated, given that several top-rated OTT productions are helmed by talent who honed their craft on television. This is not the first time such remarks have drawn pushback from TV actors who have built formidable, enduring careers outside of cinema.
Point of View
Not multiplexes. Asha Negi's refusal to engage directly, while pointing to her own enduring audience connect, is arguably the more effective rebuttal: not a debate about prestige, but a demonstration of sustained relevance. The industry would do well to interrogate who actually defines 'class' in a country where a character named Purvi still draws recognition a decade later.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rohit Roy say about television that sparked controversy?
Rohit Roy described television as a 'dustbin medium' in an interview and claimed that film stars have a level of 'style and class' that television actors lack. The remark drew reactions from several figures within the TV industry.
How did Asha Negi respond to Rohit Roy's remark?
Asha Negi said she does not know the intention behind Roy's statement or what 'type of frustration' he may have experienced, adding she could not comment on what he said. She chose not to directly criticise him, instead speaking about her own positive experience with television.
Why does Asha Negi credit television for her success?
Negi says television made her a household name through her role as Purvi in Pavitra Rishta, and that audiences still recognise her by that character name today. She believes neither cinema nor OTT could have given her that level of lasting public connect.
What is Asha Negi's new show Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot about?
Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot is a 40-episode horror-comedy series set in the world of Central Indian folklore, premiering on JioHotstar on 11 September. Negi plays Alisha 'Ali' Nigam, a neuropsychology expert drawn into supernatural mysteries while searching for her missing father, alongside co-star Vishal Vashishtha.
Where can viewers watch Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot?
The series is streaming on JioHotstar. It premiered on 11 September and runs for 40 episodes.
