OTT IS MAKING STARS OUT OF ‘NOBODY’, FEELS AAHANA
Actor Aahana Kumra is all praise for OTT, for she feels it has revolutionised the way content is perceived. “OTT is making stars out of nobody,” she says, adding, “By nobody, I mean outsiders, who wouldn’t have got such exposure in films. Today, we know many young actors because of these platforms, which take pride in promoting their talent. Does that happen in films?”
The actor, 35, whose work on the web includes Inside Edge, Rangbaaz and Marzi, feels in India, people want to see star kids even before they become stars. “The film structure is so wrong. You’re watching because you want to watch stars, not great performances. OTT changed that,” she says.
Kumra goes on to say, “In the 80s, parallel cinema was the answer to Bollywood. In 90s, we saw stars, and in 2000, star kids. I’m not saying it’s unfair, but what happens to others? By giving opportunities to performers, OTT has become the parallel cinema of the 80s that went missing.”
She also feels OTT equalises everybody. “In Bollywood, there are specific roles written for surrounding actors, unlike the lead. But
OTT offers parallel roles and stories to all. From auditions to promotions, it sort of equalises everybody,” she ends.