Children rule prime time TV

When you flip through channels at prime time, there is a common factor which can’t be ignored. Every show has a child actor who is seen as an integral part of the story line. From Ishant Bhanushali as Bal Hanuman in Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman and Ruhanika Dhawan aka Pihu/Ruhi in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein to Kartikey Raj aka Kajoor in The Kapil Sharma Show, these young celebs are taking television by storm with their convincing prowess over acting and screen presence. They are full of life and bring freshness to these shows. Here are six popular kid celebs who are right now ruling prime time television.

This young girl first made hearts melt with her innocent portrayal of Ruhi and is now seen as Pihu on the same show. The confident artiste is surprisingly mature for her age and advises kids to first concentrate on their education than unnecessarily chase unrealistic dreams. “I shoot only on weekends and don’t let my studies get affected. I love the attention and respect from audience and fans. It is an enjoyable process.” She adds that she doesn’t let fame or success get to her and leads a normal life once off the sets. “Nothing has changed for me. I am treated as a normal child in school, which is a good thing.”

For six-year-old Mahima Joshi, playing Rani aka Gayathri on television is like doing any other normal chore. Mahima says, “I am completely enjoying myself on the sets. It is fun to be able to reach out to so many people and convey your message. The show has also made me very famous.” Mahima credits her mom for being supportive and planning her schedules to suit her comfort. In school, Mahima is known as Rani and her friends are her best critics. “My friends watch the show and tell me about what they liked or not about my sequences. My teachers are also very appreciative of my work and compliment me for the same.”

Saniya Touqueer is excited and anxious about her role as Manpreet in Waaris. The nine-year-old child artiste has undergone a complete makeover to fit the character on the show. Saniya says, “My hair has been cut and I have to adapt the mannerisms of a boy. I was anxious at first but now I am comfortable. The story demands it and I am more than happy to oblige.” Her friends are thrilled about seeing her on hoardings and television. She adds that her friends have started to include her in every plan and give her special attention too. An Akshay Kumar fan, this young celeb looks up to her father Touqeer, who helps her out with dialogue delivery and the other nuances of acting.

Ishant Bhanushali aka Hanuman, who is otherwise reserved, is a different person altogether on screen. Ask him what about playing bal Hanuman does he enjoy and he says, “I haven’t read much about Hanuman, so it leaves me with an open mind to imbibe what my director tells me. Also, it helps me perform better as I don’t have a preconceived notion about the character.” Ishant adores actors Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff and hopes to be like them. “Currently, I am balancing studies and shooting as I want to give my 100 per cent to both. I carry my school work to the sets too to make sure I am not missing out on it,” adds the 10-year-old actor.

He went on to call Aishwarya Rai Bachchan ‘ma’ on National television. Meet Kartikey Raj aka Kajoor, who plays the mischievous son of chaiwala Raju on Kapil Sharma’s show. This young actor has great comic timing and manages to pull off comedy scenes with seniors like Ali Asgar and Kapil Sharma with great skill. At nine, this kid looks promising as an actor and stand-up comedian.

Ten-year-old Hardik Gohil or Ladoo is a favourite on sets of Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hai. Ladoo is the naughty brother-n-law of Shubhangi Atre aka Angoori Bhabhi. He was also seen in commercials and TV shows. A Shah Rukh Khan fan this young boy hopes to take up acting as a career when he grows up.