Sanjay Suri: I never knew how to play the game, and I’m glad I didn’t
TNN | Jul 9, 2026, 11.34 AM IST
Nearly three decades after beginning his screen journey as the host of Indian Holiday and later appearing in the television drama Yahi Toh Pyar Hai, Sanjay Suri has returned to the medium with Juhi Mui. It wasn’t just the story but also its social relevance, coupled with the familiar appeal of television, that convinced him to take on the project.
Having worked across films, OTT and now television again, Sanjay has long admired the discipline the medium demands from its actors. He says, “I have many friends in the television industry, and I know how they work. They don’t even get time to learn their lines, yet nothing is compromised. What television actors do in a day, film actors do in four or five days. This isn’t a recent discovery for me. I’ve always admired them for that. Television runs on a very well-oiled ecosystem.”
He adds, “It also scared me because I wasn’t sure I was capable of working at that pace. So, for me, working on Juhi Mui was about observing that process and simply going for it. Thankfully, it worked out, and the experience was wonderful.”
Asked whether he ever reflects on why his career didn’t take the mainstream trajectory many expected, or wonders what might have been had things unfolded differently, Sanjay has long since made peace with the way his journey unfolded. He says, “I don’t know what worked back then. Some people say I didn’t play the game, but in my defence, I never knew how to play it. Then again, many who did play the game didn’t make the cut either. Of course, some things can be left to destiny. Honestly, I have no regrets. My aspirations were never driven by the need to chase success at any cost. I was always at peace with myself. Perhaps I didn’t push hard enough or put myself out there enough. I came to this city with nothing, and I was happy making independent films. Maybe that’s where most of my focus remained. So, in many ways, the answers lie in the choices I made. But I was never lazy. I produced six films without any money. I’m also glad I didn’t play that game because when people from the mainstream engage with me today, there’s a genuine sense of respect. It isn’t built on networking or anything like that.”
Looking back, Sanjay believes there was more he could have offered as an actor. He says, “I have felt underutilised. I believe I had much more to offer in terms of my craft and the range of characters I could play. However, having produced films myself, I also understand how the industry works. It’s like a racecourse: Kaunsa ghoda chal raha hai, uspe paise lagao.”
Having worked across films, OTT and now television again, Sanjay has long admired the discipline the medium demands from its actors. He says, “I have many friends in the television industry, and I know how they work. They don’t even get time to learn their lines, yet nothing is compromised. What television actors do in a day, film actors do in four or five days. This isn’t a recent discovery for me. I’ve always admired them for that. Television runs on a very well-oiled ecosystem.”
I am more into content driven cinema: Sanjay Suri
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He adds, “It also scared me because I wasn’t sure I was capable of working at that pace. So, for me, working on Juhi Mui was about observing that process and simply going for it. Thankfully, it worked out, and the experience was wonderful.”
Asked whether he ever reflects on why his career didn’t take the mainstream trajectory many expected, or wonders what might have been had things unfolded differently, Sanjay has long since made peace with the way his journey unfolded. He says, “I don’t know what worked back then. Some people say I didn’t play the game, but in my defence, I never knew how to play it. Then again, many who did play the game didn’t make the cut either. Of course, some things can be left to destiny. Honestly, I have no regrets. My aspirations were never driven by the need to chase success at any cost. I was always at peace with myself. Perhaps I didn’t push hard enough or put myself out there enough. I came to this city with nothing, and I was happy making independent films. Maybe that’s where most of my focus remained. So, in many ways, the answers lie in the choices I made. But I was never lazy. I produced six films without any money. I’m also glad I didn’t play that game because when people from the mainstream engage with me today, there’s a genuine sense of respect. It isn’t built on networking or anything like that.”
Looking back, Sanjay believes there was more he could have offered as an actor. He says, “I have felt underutilised. I believe I had much more to offer in terms of my craft and the range of characters I could play. However, having produced films myself, I also understand how the industry works. It’s like a racecourse: Kaunsa ghoda chal raha hai, uspe paise lagao.”