Toxicity Is Not Unique To TV Industry, The Key Is How You Handle It: Madhurima Tuli

Like every other teen who finds the entertainment world glamorous and glittery, Madhurima Tuli, from a small city in Odisha, always felt a spark of excitement about the world of showbiz. However, she never truly believed she could make it to Bollywood. 

So, how did she become one of the recognised actors in the said industry? In a fun conversation with SheThePeople, Kumkum Bhagya, Chandrakanta, Baby and Naam Shabana famed actor Madhurima Tuli shared her incredible journey. What pushed her to try her luck in the industry? What gave her the confidence to follow that small spark of acting inside her? Moreover, despite her success, there's one thing her mother still feels she hasn't achieved. What is it, and what goal is Madhurima still eager to reach? Join us as we explore her journey. 

Madhurima Tuli's journey into the acting world is a fascinating one. Born in Dhanbad, she moved to Odisha due to her father's job at Tata Steel. Despite being mostly into sports and an athlete, her mother enrolled her in dance classes, believing it was good for body flexibility and expression. Madhurima admits, "We didn't have many opportunities in Odisha, and I never thought I'd come to Bombay and try my luck in acting."

What pushed Madhurima Tuli to try her luck in the industry?

Tuli's life took a turn when they moved to Dehradun. She participated in a pageant called Mr and Mrs Uttaranchal after her uncle applied for her. Leaving her cricket team to participate, she won the contest out of 200 girls from Uttarakhand. "That was a sign from God for me to aspire to be an actor and try modelling," she says. After finishing her 12th grade, she expressed her desire to pursue modelling and acting to her mother, who supported her, and they moved to Bombay.

After my 12th grade, I told my mom I wanted to pursue modelling and acting in Bombay. She supported me because I had good marks. My dad was sceptical, he was like, nahi bahut suna hai industry ke bare mein.. as we were a bit conservative, coming from a small town. But mom convinced him, and we moved to Bombay. We first found an acting course, which I did alongside my B.Com studies. Once I finished the course, I started getting ads and TV roles.

Her acting journey began, but it led her to leave her studies in the second year of B.Com. "I couldn't finish my studies. My mom keeps saying, 'You are the first one in our family who has not completed study; you have not finished your B.Com'. So I'm trying to do that. Let's see if time permits, but I'm happy," she recalls. 

Memorable Roles and Breakthrough Moments

Reflecting on her popular work, she mentioned, "My Airtel ad got a lot of love and made me an overnight success." She also shares that because of this ad, she got Baby, starring Akshay Kumar. "Because of that, I got a baby, for which I still get a lot of love. I mean, it's very, very overwhelming. I mean, it was a big film with a big star cast. And amazing people. So that was something I still have a lot of love for.”

Tuli, known for her impactful roles on television, recalls her role as Tannu, the anti-heroine in Kumkum Bhagya, which earned her a lot of affection from the audience. However, she found her role in the period- drama Chandrakanta to be the most challenging. In this role, she had to speak in pure Hindi and wear a harness for flying scenes almost every day. "It was quite taxing, but it was also a fantastic learning experience," she reflects.

Madhurima Tuli on TV Industry Revelations, Addressing the Toxic Work Culture

The actor also shared her perspective on the alleged toxic work culture within the TV industry, as discussed by actors like Kavita Kaushik, Krishna Mukherjee, and Ridhima Pandit. Reflecting on her own experiences, Tuli described the rigorous demands of TV work. “I used to spend 80 percent of my days on set. TV is a lot of hard work, and it demands a lot from you. It’s a tough industry,” she said.

When asked about the claims of a toxic environment in the TV industry, Tuli offered a broader perspective. “I haven’t personally met many people from TV who have expressed these issues, but I believe toxicity exists in every industry. It’s not unique to TV. Though it wasn't always like this, the key is how you handle it.”

She acknowledged that negative behaviour can be a part of any professional environment. "There will always be people who try to bring you down or sabotage your success. But you have to keep pushing forward. That’s a lesson I’ve learned over the years. People might try to block your path, but your destiny is yours. If something is meant for you, it will come to you eventually, even if it takes time."

Balancing Acting and Digital Presence

In a world increasingly driven by digital presence, Tuli also offered her insights into a balanced perspective on navigating both acting and digital presence, highlighting the enduring value of genuine performance over transient popularity. "Influencers have their own way of portraying themselves, but if an actor tries to do something similar, I don't see any harm in it. It helps gather a broader audience and showcases your work to more people."

Tuli emphasised the importance of publicity in the entertainment industry. "Whether you're promoting a film, opening a restaurant, or endorsing a brand, it's all about letting people know what you've done," she explained. However, she acknowledged that influencer culture isn't for everyone. "Some actors prefer to focus solely on their craft and avoid other activities. It varies from person to person."

Tuli also touched on the numbers game that dominates influencer culture. "Likes, followers, and views are fleeting. Creating a memorable character is what truly matters. That kind of recognition stays with you forever, unlike the temporary validation from social media metrics."

When asked about the most rewarding aspect of being an actor, Tuli was clear: "It's the appreciation for your acting, for your work on a project. Influencing might give you instant gratification, but the true reward is when the character you play stays with the audience. That's a different kind of high, a sense of achievement."

Tuli also shares her excitement about her upcoming projects, including a film called Tehran with John Abraham and read about it here.