Rupali Ganguly, beloved for her role in the hit TV show Anupamaa, has called on the government to institute National Awards for television artists, highlighting the lack of recognition for their tireless contributions to the entertainment industry.

Speaking at an event, the small-screen icon emphasized that TV stars work as diligently as their film counterparts but often go unnoticed. “Film stars make headlines for long hours, but TV artists worked 6 am to 6 pm during the pandemic without fanfare,” Ganguly told Viral Bhayani’s celebrity account, urging authorities to validate their efforts with awards akin to those for films and content creators.

Ganguly, renowned for iconic roles like Monisha Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and leads in Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi and Anupamaa—one of India’s top-rated shows for five years—also praised Smriti Irani’s return to television with the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot. “Smriti ji’s comeback is a huge validation for TV,” she said, predicting it will draw renewed attention to the medium.

Ganguly’s passionate plea underscores the need for greater appreciation of television’s role in shaping India’s entertainment landscape.

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