'Viewers decide a show's shelf life'

Actor Yash Tonk on what keeps him anchored to the tube, interviewed by Satarupa Basu.

What's with Yash Tonnk's Kkkkkkk konnection? The actor has been a regular on several K soaps - Karma, Kahiin Kissii Roz and Karam Apna Apna.

Dressed in a leather jacket and boots, the actor's positively beaming, even though Karam... has moved from primetime to an afternoon slot.

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Busy B
An unfazed Tonnk says, "It's the viewers who decide a soap's shelf life. If they weren't watching Karam..., it would have been off the air by now."

What keeps him busy besides the soap? "I'm shooting all 30 days of the month. There's no time for play. Television actors are the Amitabh Bachchans of the small screen.. it's just work, work and more work for them," he explains.

When asked how close he is to reaching the superstar status of Big B, Tonnk quips, "Well, I'm not a struggling actor any more. I'll reach there some day."

Tonnk, who has also worked in films - Kuchh To Hai, Ishq Vishq, Julie and Popcorn Khao Mast Ho Jao, says each medium has its working style.

Three's company
Tonnk admits that good roles could lure him back to films. "TV is big money," he admits frankly, "So it has to be a really meaty role."

He will be seen next year in Kisse Pyar Karoon that features him in one of the three lead roles alongside Arshad Warsi and Ashish Chaudhury. Udita Goswami is the leading lady.