When TV plays ‘jodi breakers’

A new TV show’s ‘no dating’ policy might be signifying that the industry is tired of playing off-screen ‘matchmaker’ to stars.

TV shows playing cupid for their stars in real life is no new trend. However, this may soon be up for a change as TV shows are increasingly looking at ‘no-dating’ clauses in their agreement and are following the example of the corporate world, where such policies have almost become the norm. Actors Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta from the show Rishton Ka Saudagar - Baazigar might just be the first victims of this change, as they’ve had to sign a no-dating policy, requiring them to not get romantically involved, not just with each other, but also with any one from the show’s cast and crew.

This is quite a sharp turn for the industry, which has often capitalised on playing up off-screen romances to boost on-screen chemistry. A number of actors such as Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, Ram and Gautami Kapoor, and Vivian Dsena and Vahbbiz Dorabjee found each other on the sets of their shows, and are now married.

And for an industry that has a crazy fan following for actors both on and off-screen, the move has come as a surprise not just for viewers, but for the actors themselves.

Says Ishtita, “Honestly, when they told me about the contract for the first time, I found it very funny and thought they were joking. I later realised they were serious but I did not find it offensive enough. I love the character I’m playing and dating was the last thing on my mind.”

However, matters of the heart are rarely under the control of external factors, contend other TV actors. Saas Bina Sasural’s Ravi Dubey, who met and fell in love with actress Sargun Mehta on the sets of 12/24 Karol Bagh, tells us what he thinks of such policies, “On screen chemistry is important and the rapport between the co-stars needs to be good. It’s the co-stars’ choice whether or not to fall in love. Falling in love is natural and cannot be controlled and a clause cannot dictate emotions.”

The sentiment is echoed by Shashank Vyas, who played Jagdish on Balika Vadhu. Shashank scoffs at the new clause and says, “We are actors and not children in a boarding school. Actors know they have to perform on screen. Clauses can’t rule the heart and falling in love is natural; natural emotions cannot be put into rules.”

While co-stars falling in love could spell good news for the production, it could lead to trouble if the same pair has a falling out, believes producer Rajan Shahi. “Every production has a right to individually incorporate clauses in their contracts,” he explains. “If a production house has gone to the extent of adding a written clause in their contract, it’s possibly they may have suffered at the hands of unprofessional actors who may have hampered the show due to personal reasons.”

On the other hand, Ssharad Malhotraa, who portrays Rishi on Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki, says that actors must be given some credit for being able to maintain a professional behaviour. “Actors are adults and know that they shouldn’t disturb the set and the shoot. The clause preventing love is absurd; if they fall in love, that can’t be explained.” The actor himself met Divyanka Tripathi on the sets of a reality talent hunt show and the couple starred together in Banoo Main Teri Dulhan in 2006. The two separated after seven years of dating, but Ssharad maintains that co-stars must be able to share good vibes. “A good rapport between the lead pair works on-screen, and feelings, emotions and relationships can’t run on clauses or contracts,” he asserts.

Actor Karan Patel, on the other hand, understands the producers’ point of view to a certain extent. “I guess the producers are more concerned and worried about the show because when people are in love, they tend to spend more time together, they may come and leave the sets together. There are mood swings that tend to affect one another and it will reflect. I’m sure the producers meant it in good faith, but I doubt this will help anyone,” he nods.

Rajan adds, “Personally, I think there shouldn't be any personal association between the actors during shooting hours. If the actors are professional enough, there is no need for such a clause. When actors fight or fall in love, the shoot does get disrupted, but I wonder how a contract solves the purpose,” he shrugs.

HR professional Ankita Pujari agrees with the actors’ scepticism of the clause being productive, “This is silly. These kind of no-dating clauses are common in industries like banking, but the media should stay off of it. Even in the IT sector, MNCs find it useful when co-workers date in their company, since it translates into them staying back in their positions longer.” She further adds, “These are young people who work long hours on the sets and will inadvertently get romantically involved. Till it doesn’t affect the productivity of the work, it shouldn't matter. Clauses like these work out to be a negative point for these production companies themselves.”