Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 19 hrs ago
Rohit Roy says he was wrong to call television a ‘dustbin medium’
Actor Rohit Roy has explained his criticism of television in a podcast conversation.
In September, he called TV a “dustbin medium,” prompting criticism from television actors.
Roy said he meant the quality of TV content, not its workers.
He described a schedule in which actors may get a script in the morning and have to learn lines and finish scenes within 10 to 15 hours.
Roy admitted the word was wrong, and said his wife, actor Manasi Joshi Roy, told him not to use it.
He said television and the show *Swabhimaan* helped build his career.
Roy says he still believes television content needs to improve and that he is speaking up for the industry.
Rohit Roy said he was wrong to describe television as a “dustbin medium” and acknowledged that the word could sound insulting.
He said he was criticising television content and working conditions, not the people who work in the industry.
Roy said television and the show Swabhimaan had been crucial to his career.
He said his wife, television actor Manasi Joshi Roy, told him he should not have used that word.
Roy maintained that television content needs to improve and said he is “fighting for TV.”
- Who
- Actor Rohit Roy, whose wife Manasi Joshi Roy is also a television actor.
- What
- Roy said his choice of words in calling television a “dustbin medium” was wrong. He said he meant to criticise its content, not its workers.
- When
- He made the original remark in September this year. He later discussed it in a conversation with Lehren Retro; the conversation date is not stated.
- Where
- The original remark was about television. Roy discussed it in a conversation with Lehren Retro.
- Why
- Roy said he was frustrated by television’s content and working conditions, including scripts and scenes completed under tight deadlines.
Rohit Roy
Television actors who took his remark personally
Meaning of “dustbin medium
Rohit Roy
Roy said he was criticising television content and working conditions, not the people working in the industry.
Television actors who took his remark personally
Some actors took the remark personally and attacked him, according to Roy.
His choice of words
Rohit Roy
Roy acknowledged that “dustbin” was the wrong word and could be read as calling people garbage.
Television actors who took his remark personally
The actors’ criticism showed that they viewed the remark as personal, though their specific explanations are not stated.
Roy called television a “dustbin medium,” prompting backlash from television actors.
In a conversation with Lehren Retro, Roy explained that he meant to criticise television content and admitted his choice of word was wrong.
- Original remark
- Television was a “dustbin medium
- TV show
- Swabhimaan
- Wife
- Manasi Joshi Roy, a television actor
- Clarification outlet
- Lehren Retro
- Content comparison
- Roy compared television content to a newspaper
- Published reports
- Indian Express, October 18, 2026; Hindustan Times, October 19, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
My choice of word was wrong, but I stand by what I said and why I have said it.
A few actors took it personally and attacked me. That’s very sad because I didn’t say anything about you.
I am also doing it. I am fighting for TV.
No botox has gone in my brain, I am not biting the hands that feeds me.