Smita Sinkar Shah celebrates the emotional depth and cultural influence of television, emphasising how the medium continues to feel like a daily companion for Indian households.
Her reflections highlight TV’s unmatched ability to create shared memories across generations.
Ask Smita Sinkar Shah what television means to her, and she’ll compare it to a comforting morning cuppa. As World Television Day arrives, the actress celebrates the medium that has stayed constant through changing eras, evolving technology, and countless stories.
Currently winning hearts as Uma in Rahul Kumar Tewary’s Jagadhatri, Smita brings the same warmth to her off-screen reflections as she does to her on-screen presence. She opens up about her deep connection with television, a bond shaped by childhood memories, shared family moments, and the everyday comfort TV still brings to her life.
Recalling her childhood, Smita says TV was far more than simple entertainment, it was a cherished family ritual. “Kilbil, Santakukdi, Buniyaad, Nukkad, Tamas, these were the shows I grew up watching. TV was an integral part of my childhood because we would sit together as a family and watch it while having dinner. Those moments are unforgettable,” she shares.
Over the decades, the television landscape has changed dramatically. Smita believes the industry has evolved at a pace no one anticipated. “The TV industry has grown faster than us and taken a 360-degree turn. Earlier, we had no choice but to watch whatever was aired. Now, we have endless choices, genres, languages, content… everything. But even with all these changes, television still has the widest reach. It’s like a best friend you meet every day, someone who becomes part of your life. Both TV and OTT beautifully coexist,” she says.
For Smita, what sets television apart is its emotional intimacy. “TV is like your morning ritual; it sets the mood and gives your day a gentle push. The characters become your family members, and you live your life with them. The content stays with you, unlike OTT where you watch and move on. TV is your daily dose of entertainment,” she explains.
Sharing a humorous incident that reflects how invested audiences are, Smita laughs, “Now that I’m doing two shows, Udne Ki Aasha and Jagadhatri, there was a scene in Udne Ki Aasha where they had to use a body double for me. Someone actually sent me a DM saying, ‘No wonder UKA mein aapka body double use kiya!’ I was shocked. Can you imagine how closely people observe us?”
According to her, television remains relevant because human emotions haven’t changed, even if technology has. “We still love drama, emotions, family bonds, and a bit of masala. Daily soaps give comfort and reality shows give excitement. Even with OTT, families still sit together, parents, grandparents, children and watch TV. That shared experience hasn’t disappeared,” she says.
If she could bring back anything from earlier TV eras, Smita says she would choose simplicity and heartfelt storytelling. “I’d love to bring back simple, warm, innocent stories, the ones that focused on family bonds and everyday life. Those shows had a purity that still resonates. In today’s fast-paced world, we could all use that warmth again. Shows like Filmi Chakkar, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Malgudi Days, Hip Hip Hurray… they reminded us of who we are,” she smiles.
