Television and film actress Indira Krishnan has sharply responded to actor Rohit Roy's controversial description of the small screen as a 'dustbin', calling the remark disappointing and suggesting it was a bid by a forgotten personality to stay in the spotlight. Her comments, made on 14 September in Mumbai, have reignited a long-running debate about the standing of Indian television as a creative medium.

What Indira Krishnan Said

'The word dustbin is terrible to use for a veteran actor who himself comes from this medium,' Krishnan said. 'Television has given many skilled actors work and a stage to perform so well.'

She went further, adding: 'There are many popular directors who are doing films after directing some brilliant shows on television. Well, to each his own. This medium is my plate of food as well as my respect. So that's his view and he can stick to it.'

Krishnan also offered a pointed observation about the motivation behind such remarks: 'Or should I say, it's a democratic view. Sometimes people who are forgotten use such stunts to stay relevant, so I guess this is one of those.'

A Defence of Television's Reach and Legacy

The actress, known for her roles in popular shows including Krishnaben Khakhrawala, Krishnadasi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Saavi Ki Savaari, Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pare, and Durga – Atoot Prem Kahani, was emphatic about the medium's cultural weight.

'Television has been, is, and will always be the biggest medium. It reaches every household and gives actors a daily connection with the audience that no other medium can. To demean it after being a part of it for years is disappointing. We should respect the medium that has made us,' she said.

Krishnan's Career Spans Television, Bollywood and Regional Cinema

Krishnan made her acting debut in the 1995 Odia film Suna Panjuri, alongside Sidhant Mohapatra, which turned out to be a musical hit of that year. She subsequently appeared in Trishakti and Aaj Ka Ravan opposite Mithun Chakraborty, before building a prominent Bollywood filmography that includes Tere Naam, Tathastu, Chatur Singh Two Star, and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. Her most recent notable big-screen credit is the Sandeep Reddy Vanga-directed blockbuster Animal.

She also featured in the Marathi film Janiva, directed by her husband Rajesh Ranshinage. Notably, Krishnan is set to appear in director Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated Ramayana, where she will portray Lord Rama's mother Kaushalya — a casting that underlines her continued relevance across mediums.

Context: The Television vs Film Debate

Rohit Roy's original remark — describing television as a 'dustbin' — touched a raw nerve among the television fraternity, many of whom began their careers on the small screen before transitioning to films. The comment reflects a recurring tension in the Hindi entertainment industry, where television actors have historically been viewed as lesser peers by the film establishment, despite the fact that the medium commands audiences that dwarf theatrical releases. Krishnan's rebuttal, coming from an actress who has worked credibly across television, Bollywood, and regional cinema, carries particular weight in that context.

With Ramayana on the horizon, all eyes will be on whether Krishnan's dual identity — rooted in television yet active in premium cinema — continues to challenge that hierarchy.