Gulfam Khan Hussain: Half-cooked talent replacing good actors for being pocket-friendly
Synopsis
Gulfam Khan Hussain, a veteran of Diya Aur Baati Hum and films like Talaash, has called out Indian television's quiet talent crisis — where cost-cutting is pushing out seasoned actors in favour of cheaper, less-skilled replacements, while character depth and storytelling detail quietly disappear from daily soaps.
Key Takeaways
Veteran actress Gulfam Khan Hussain says experienced TV actors are being replaced by 'half-cooked talent' because newcomers are more pocket-friendly for production houses.
She acknowledged improvements in production quality — better technology, AC floors, higher safety standards — but said creative standards have fallen sharply.
Gulfam identified the loss of character detailing , ensemble storytelling, and layered supporting roles as the core problem in modern Indian TV.
She noted that freeze points — episode-ending cliffhangers — now focus only on main leads, sidelining supporting characters entirely.
Despite the criticism, she confirmed she is still getting nuanced roles and hopes for more, citing shows like Naamkarann , Bhagyalakshmi , and Diya Aur Baati Hum in her portfolio.
Veteran actress Gulfam Khan Hussain, best known for her role in Diya Aur Baati Hum, has raised pointed concerns about the declining standards of Indian television, arguing that experienced performers are being pushed out by less-skilled newcomers simply because they cost less. The actress, speaking candidly, drew a sharp contrast between the technical improvements on today's sets and what she sees as a steady erosion of creative quality.
The Talent Crisis on Indian TV
'There have been some good things and some bad things. We now have AC floors and much better technology, the safety standards are much higher too, but the ratio of inflation versus payment has gone bad, the storytelling is weak and dragging. A lot of half-cooked talent has arrived and just because they are pocket-friendly they replace better ones,' Gulfam said.
Her remarks reflect a growing frustration among seasoned television professionals who feel that cost-cutting by production houses is coming at the expense of on-screen quality. This comes amid a broader debate in the Indian entertainment industry about the sustainability of the daily soap format, with numerous shows going off air within months of launch.
What Is Missing From Storytelling Today
Beyond the talent question, Gulfam identified a deeper structural problem — the disappearance of layered character writing and attention to detail that once defined Indian television drama.
'Detailing, storytelling and character building are missing now. They don't have characters that take the story ahead anymore. Those small scenes where a neighbour's comment disrupts the calm of the household or those multiple family members who are in every scene, but what's their perspective? What's their contribution as a character?' she said.
She also pointed to a shift in how episodes are structured, noting that the dramatic 'freeze point' — the cliffhanger moment before a commercial break or episode end — has narrowed to only the central leads, stripping supporting characters of narrative purpose. 'Once upon a time, freeze points used to be on everyone who took the story to the next episode. Today it's only the main leads. How are we even forgetting the little pieces that complete the jigsaw?' she added.
Nuanced Roles Still Exist, Says Gulfam
Despite her criticisms, Gulfam stopped short of writing off television entirely. When asked whether the medium still offers the kind of complex, layered roles she has built her reputation on, she was cautiously optimistic.
'It would be wrong to say that those kinds aren't written anymore. They are, hence I am still doing them and am hoping that I will get more,' she said. Her continued presence on screen suggests that demand for experienced character actors has not entirely disappeared — even if it has diminished.
A Career Built on Character
Gulfam Khan Hussain has delivered notable performances across both television and film. On the small screen, she has appeared in Naamkarann, Bhagyalakshmi, and Diya Aur Baati Hum. Her film credits include Laxmii, Dhanak, and Talaash, among others — a body of work that spans genres and underscores her versatility as a performer.
Whether the industry heeds her concerns or continues to prioritise cost over craft will likely determine the long-term health of Indian television storytelling.
Point of View
The incentive to invest in craft simply does not exist. The result is a medium that has technically upgraded its infrastructure while quietly downgrading its storytelling engine. The irony is that the same shows cutting character budgets are also the ones going off air fastest — suggesting that the cost-saving logic is self-defeating. Gulfam's voice matters precisely because she is still working within the system she is critiquing, which makes her observations harder to dismiss as nostalgia.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gulfam Khan Hussain say about Indian television?
Gulfam Khan Hussain said that experienced actors are being replaced by less-skilled, cheaper talent on Indian television, and that storytelling, character detailing, and ensemble writing have all deteriorated. She made these remarks in a candid interview, contrasting improved production infrastructure with declining creative standards.
Who is Gulfam Khan Hussain?
Gulfam Khan Hussain is a veteran Indian actress known for her work in television shows such as Diya Aur Baati Hum, Naamkarann, and Bhagyalakshmi, as well as films including Talaash, Dhanak, and Laxmii. She is recognised for playing layered, character-driven roles across both mediums.
What specific storytelling problems did Gulfam highlight?
She pointed to the disappearance of detailed character writing, the sidelining of supporting cast members, and the narrowing of dramatic cliffhangers to only the main leads. She argued that the small, connective scenes — a neighbour's comment, a family member's reaction — that once gave Indian TV its texture are no longer being written.
Does Gulfam Khan Hussain believe good roles still exist on Indian TV?
Yes, cautiously. She said it would be wrong to claim nuanced roles are no longer written, noting that she is still being offered and performing such parts. However, she expressed concern that this is becoming the exception rather than the norm.
Why are experienced actors being replaced on Indian TV, according to Gulfam?
According to Gulfam Khan Hussain, the primary reason is cost. Newer, less experienced actors are more affordable for production houses, making them attractive despite the gap in skill and screen presence. She described this as a consequence of the worsening ratio between inflation and actor payments in the industry.
