Film, TV, and Theater: Understanding Different Acting Genres

If you ask an Indian child what they want to become, most would answer either doctor/engineer, cricketer, or actor. Acting is a prominent field today, given Bollywood’s popularity worldwide. 

Undoubtedly, Bollywood is the largest film-producing industry in the world. Therefore, for an aspiring actor, thorough knowledge of the genres and how they impact your acting career is crucial (in addition to the acting courses after 12th). 

This blog will explore this complex world and introduce you to the top trending acting genres today, whether in films, TV, or theater. Wasting no time, let’s proceed!

What Are Acting Genres?

Acting genres define the type of story a movie tells and the ways actors should perform accordingly. They help set the mood and tone for the play, film, and TV, guide actors in portraying the characters effectively, and deliver exemplary performances.

Every individual is unique and has their own taste preferences. Some are inclined toward comedy genres, while others interested in science prefer sci-fi. In contrast, many individuals are inclined toward mystery-solving genres like that of the Sherlock Holmes series.

The primary goal of these genres is to keep the audience hooked and captivated by the screen. Furthermore, they help build a robust TRP for the broadcast networks, which improves the profitability of the film and television production industry.

You can think about acting genres as different styles of cooking. The way the chef sautes or fries the dishes denotes the overall taste. In the same way, the actor needs to deliver the correct performance for different genres to adhere to the audience’s expectations (as per the top acting course schools with professional education in Delhi). 

Understanding Acting Genres in Film

Numerous acting genres have evolved over the years. Below, we have listed the top genres in the movie industry and their definitions.

a) Drama

Drama is one of the most common acting genres today, primarily focusing on compelling storytelling. It often deals with intense emotions, complex characters, and real-life situations. You can think of it as cooking a rich, slow-cooked dish. It requires patience, depth, and careful layering of emotions, similar to simmering flavors over time, to bring out the complexity of the ingredients.

Actors in this genre must be able to convey a diverse range of emotions, ranging from happiness to sorrow and conflict. The performances are typically subtle and realistic and aim to connect deeply with the audience. Sholay, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Rang De Basanti, and Taare Zameen Par are some of the popular movies in this genre.

b) Comedy

Comedy is a genre that aims to make people laugh through character quirks, silly jokes, funny situations, and witty dialogue. It has become popular today because people work quickly and need a break from stress. Acting in comedy requires strong timing and the ability to deliver jokes naturally.

You can think of it as making a light and quick stir-fry dish. Timing is crucial to creating the maximum burst of laughter, like perfectly sautéed ingredients added at the right moment. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., 3 Idiots, Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Padosan (1968) are some of the popular movies in this genre.

c) Action

Action is another popular genre, emphasizing physical stunts and fast-paced scenes such as car races, chase scenes, or fights between heroes and villains. This demands muscular fitness and skillfulness from actors to perform efficient stunts. For challenging stunts, body doubles are often used. Yet, as an aspiring actor, you should have practical knowledge about these stunts (as per the premium acting courses after 12th). 

You can think of action as grilling a steak—high-heat, fast-paced, and demanding accurate temperature control so the steak doesn’t get burned. Like the chef, the actor has to be sharp, focused, and in command, ensuring the scene delivers the perfect sizzle and thrill. Dabangg, Krrish, Baahubali The Beginning, Ghajini, and Singham are some popular movies in this category.

d) Horror

The horror genre relies on supernatural and paranormal activities related to ghosts, souls, and witches, creating suspense, fear, and exaggerated emotions. Actors in this genre often portray characters of terror, dread, and danger. Performances can range from subtle facial expressions to exaggerated reactions like screaming or running. The main goal of this genre is to create a chilling atmosphere that keeps the audience hooked until the end.

The horror genre is analogous to preparing a spicy dish. Just like a chef gradually adds spices to build heat, the genre focuses on building suspense while adding layers of fear. Bhoot, Vaastu Shastra, Stree (2018), and Ragini MMS are some of the popular movies in this genre.

Understanding Acting Genres in TV

As you are aware of the acting genres in movies, let’s look at the popular genres in the TV industry.

a) Sitcom

The sitcom is short for “situation comedy,” which focuses on everyday situations with humorous twists. This genre is somewhat relatable to real lives and is set in familiar locations like homes, workplaces, and cafes around a recurring cast of characters. 

It is famous for its light-hearted tone, witty conversation, and exaggerated situations that entertain audiences. “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah” is a popular TV show in this , have aired over 3000 episodes in 16 years.

b) Crime/Thriller

The crime genre explores the darker side of human nature, like murder, rape, or abduction. The genre aims to build tension with unexpected twists, mind games, and cliffhangers to keep audiences hooked until the end. It often involves a crime that needs to be solved through investigations, chases, and psychological battles between the hero and villain.

c) Soap Opera

Soap opera is a genre that focuses on emotional stories about people’s daily lives. It engages audiences through love triangles, secrets, and betrayals from trusted individuals. The narrative is continuous in this genre and involves a long-running drama series known for its ongoing storylines, complex character relationships, and dramatic plots. 

“Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi,”  “Balika Vadhu,”  “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai,” and “Diya Aur Baati Hum” are some of the popular TV shows in this genre.

d) Sci-Fi

If you are curious about futuristic technologies, interplanetary activities such as aliens and black holes, and pseudoscience phenomena, including time travel and human transformation, the sci-fi genre is for you. It focuses primarily on space exploration, time travel, and human transformation, allowing viewers to escape into wholly different and creative realities. Popular Indian superhero shows like Shaktimaan and Captain Vyom are examples of this genre.

Understanding Acting Genres in Theater

There are also genres for theater (live performances), like the film and television industry. These genres are inclined more towards realistic and continual expressions by the actors and include

a) Musical

The musical genre is a type of theater where the story is told through songs, dance, and acting. Characters express their emotions and dialogue through singing, often accompanied by choreography. This genre mainly deals with societal issues, such as child marriage and labor. Sangeet Natak, Nautanki, and Yakshagana are some of the few theater shows in this category.

b) Experimental

Unlike traditional theater, experimental theater involves actors trying innovative ways to present the story to the audience. It often includes unexpected ideas, improvisation, and unique staging to fascinate the audience. Chakravyuha, An Evening with Ananya, and Piya Behrupiya are some of the famous theater shows in this category.

c) Tragedy

Tragedy, as the name suggests, is an influential genre that reflects on the negative aspects of human nature. It shows a noble character facing a harsh downfall due to their good deeds and difficult moral choices. The main goal of the tragedy genre is to teach important moral lessons, the consequences of actions, and fatal losses (through renowned online acting courses). “Sakharam Binder”  and “Ghashiram Kotwal” by Vijay Tendulkar and “Madhavi” by Mohan Rakesh to name a few.

Conclusion

To conclude this informative blog, these acting genres go beyond entertaining and keeping audiences engaged; they enhance the actors’ skill sets through diverse genres to bring out their best performances. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg! 

You will discover several other genres that may not be known to more significant audience segments If you delve deeper into the field. However, they can help actors reshape their performances and professionalism.
If you wish to learn more about acting or enroll in our acting school through acting courses after 12th, contact our AAFT team in the Contact Us section.