Donal Bisht on her journey from Television to Cinema; says, “Being too familiar a face-can work against you in films”

Donal Bisht continues to move forward in her acting career with a clear vision of establishing herself in films.

After making a mark on television, the actress decided to follow her long-standing passion for cinema, embracing the journey with patience, dedication and faith in her abilities.

While the transition has brought its share of learning experiences, Donal remains focused on exploring diverse roles and working towards her dream of playing leading characters in Hindi films.

Donal has been part of several television shows, including Kalash – Ek Vishwaas, Ek Deewaana Tha, Roop – Mard Ka Naya Swaroop and Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji. Following her stint on Bigg Boss 15, she expanded her horizons by exploring films and web shows. Her film journey includes the Telugu film MRP, a bilingual project in Telugu and Kannada, and an international film directed by Andrew Lau. She has also been shortlisted for the lead role in Laal Singh Chaddha and considered for Suparnakha in Ramayana, among other projects.

Talking about stepping into a new phase of her career, Donal shared with TOI, “Coming out of your comfort zone is always dificult but you have to make that choice if you want to do something different. After television, I explored web shows, and after Bigg Boss 15, I shot my first Telugu film, MRP, almost two years ago. Unlike television, where a project can reach audiences within a month or so of being shot, films have a much longer journey. They require patience and the right timing. I used the waiting period to hone my craft through dance, swimming , mixed martial arts, Kathak, acting courses and studying cinema. There were several hits and misses along the way. I auditioned for the lead role Laal Singh Chaddha and was among the shortlisted actresses.I was also considered for Suparnakha in Ramayana and projects with filmmakers such as Imtiaz Sir. I have shot a bilingual film in Telugu and Kannada, as well as an international film with director Andrew Lau.”

For Donal, pursuing cinema has been about trusting the process and using every phase of her journey to grow as an actor. She has invested time in learning new skills, improving her craft and understanding the demands of the film industry. Her decision to focus on films, despite the quicker visibility and financial stability that television can offer, reflects her commitment to her long-term aspirations.

Explaining the thought behind this choice, the actress said, “It takes a lot of strength to look beyond the monetary aspect, especially when a good television show, instant visibility and a great budget are just one ‘ves’ away. However, being too familiar a face can sometimes work against you in films, especially when you aspire to play lead roles. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice something to get somewhere.”

Donal has also gained valuable insight into the casting process while auditioning for lead roles in Hindi cinema. Although she has experienced disappointments along the way, she continues to view each experience as part of her professional journey. She has found more opportunities to play lead roles in South Indian cinema and remains hopeful about finding the right projects in Bollywood.

Sharing her belief in herself and her future, Donal said, “In the South, I found more opportunities to play lead roles. In Bollywood, there are fewer openings for outsiders, particularly for female leads, andI don’t personally know anyone in the industry. For us, auditions are the only way in. Even after being shortlisted, I often wouldn’t make the final cut. leventually understood that filmmakers have to consider a certain visual hierarchy while casting, and that production houses and studios decide the options for lead roles. It feels disappointing when opportunities don’t materialise, but I truly believe the right project wlill come along at the right time. When big filmmakers believe in me and approach me for great projects, who am I not to believe in myself?”

With a positive outlook and a continued commitment to her craft, Donal is determined to keep moving ahead in her film career. Her journey highlights the importance of believing in one’s abilities, staying prepared and remaining patient while working towards a dream. As she continues to explore new projects, the actress is hopeful that the right roles will bring her closer to the milestones she envisions for herself.