Rajeev Khandelwal, Indraneil Sengupta, Aamna Shariff and others: TV actors returning to their roots!

Films are like a beacon for TV actors, who are eagerly waiting for that elusive break in Bollywood. For many, TV is just a stepping stone to the silver screen. So much so that they have no qualms leaving the show mid-way for a film! In recent years, many TV stars bid adieu to the small-screen to try their luck on the big screen, but only a handful of them have been able to make a successful transition. Those who don't more often than not end up coming back to TV for a second innings.

Rajeev Khandelwal

Rajeev became a teen heartthrob with his outing as Sujal in Kaahin Toh Hoga. He went on to do a few more serials like Left Right Left and Time Bomb. He also hosted a game show Deal Ya No Deal before making his film debut with Aamir, and Sach Ka Saamna. Highly acclaimed for his role in the film, Rajeev continued to do some unconventional films like Shaitaan, Table No 21 and Soundtrack, but box-office success eluded him. The actor who had steadfastly refused to do TV shows (even episodics) when he shifted to films is now gearing to make a comeback with a finite series Reporters. It is set against the backdrop of a newsroom in which he plays a senior reporter.

Indraneil Sengupta

He catapulted to fame with his very first TV serial Pyaar Ke Do Naam - Ek Radha Ek Shyam. Though he had done a film Shukriya - Till Death Do Us Apart, it was on TV that he gained recognition. After a few serials like Banoo Mein Tumhari Dulhan and Maayka, he got a big break with Vikram Bhatt's thriller 1920 after Mumbai Salsa. But these movies didn't help him make a headway in Bollywood and he shifted to Bengali cinema with Angshumaner Chhabi that was critically acclaimed. He did several Bengali films after that and was a popular hero. He returned to Hindi cinema with Kahaani in a small role and later did Satyagraha. He, however, hasn't managed to gain a foothold in Bollywood and came back to TV with a cameo in Tumhaari Paakhi. The actor is now playing a full-fledged role in Mahrakshak Devi.

Aashish Chowdhry

He started his career on TV with the serial Humko Ishq Ne Mara and Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye over a decade ago. He got his Bolly break with Chalo America in which he played one of the lead roles. Several films followed like Girlfriend, Shaadi Ka Laddoo, Fight Club, but it was only with Dhamaal that Aashish gained fame. Today, he is best remembered for his outing in the Dhamaal franhcise. The actor then disappeared from the radar for a while and last year made a comeback with the serial Ek Mutthi Aasmaan.Currently, he is seen in the adventure show Khatron Ke Khiladi.

Aamna Shariff

Best known for her role as Kashish in Kaahin Toh Hoga, Aamna quit TV when she got the lead role in Aloo Chaat opposite Aftab Shivdasani. The film bombed at the box-office. She, however, did a couple of more films like Aao Wish Kare and Shakal Pe Mat Jaa, which didn't do anything for her career. Two years ago, she returned to TV with the much-hyped Hongey Judaa Na Hum, but the show went off air within six months due to lack of ratings. Haven't heard of anything new in the offing after her small role as Riteish Deshmukh's wife in Ek Villain.

Sara Khan

She became popular with her very first serial Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai and films beckoned. Lured by a career in Bollywood, the actress even quit her debut show mid-way. She had then said in an interview that she was not keen on daily soaps. But her film Payback did not pay at all and Sara was back on TV with Bigg Boss and a serial Ram Milayee Jodi. Though the actress continues to try her luck in films — she did Midsummer Midnight Mumbai with her boyfriend Paras Chhabra, a much-hyped film with Ashmit Patel and is set to be next seen in Hamari Adhuri Kahaani — Sara hasn't managed to hit the jackpot. It's on TV that she still gains recognition.

These actors are playing lead roles in films, but continue doing TV...

Karan Kundra: The popular host of Gumrah made his Bolly debut with Horror Story, but the film failed at the box-office. Though he has two more films lined up, the actor was seen in a TV series Fanaa and is currrently hosting Roadies.

Rannvijay Singh: He started out as a Roadies participant and went on to host several seasons including the current one. Rannvijay and Roadies are synonmous with each other. He made his film debut with Toss: A Flip Of Destiny and went on to do several films including Action Replayy and the recently released 3 AM. He, however, continued hosting shows and even did a serial Pukar.

Manish Paul: He started out with fiction shows like Ghosh Bana Dost, but it was as a host that Manish became a big name on television. He got his major film break with Mickey Virus, but the film failed at the box office. He will next be seen in Tere Bin Laden 2 and Katha, but Manish continues his tryst with TV hosting shows like Science Of Stupid.