BEEN THE ‘OTT HAS SAVIOUR FOR ONLY INDUSTRY’ THE

Some may call it a boon, some may call it a passing fad, but for actor Manoj Bajpayee, the OTT boom is here to stay, and he believes that the graph will only grow upward.

“This has happened worldwide. There was only one medium of entertainment in a situation like the lockdown — OTT,” notes Bajpayee, adding, “OTT has been the only saviour for the entertainment industry amid the pandemic.”

The actor, who has embraced the medium wholeheartedly, also praises the digital streaming services for keeping people busy and away from all the negativity of the outside world. “Various shows and films not only kept everyone away from anxiety and stress, but also proved to be the only medium that had continuedly kept people entertained. It’s like a vast ocean...people can choose what they want to watch,” he shares.

Not just for the audience, the 52-year-old feels that for actors too, this (OTT) has been a blessing. “All those people who can do some worthwhile job, have got the chance to showcase their capability and talent. It is a one-of-a-kind situation. I pray that this era of celebrating talent and quality doesn’t go away. The OTT has become a miracle for many,” Bajpayee explains.

The three-time National Award-winning actor admits that even his popularity has soared, thanks to the web projects, especially The Family Man series, for which he recently bagged the Best Actor award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).

Does he feel that he has been reintroduced to his audience now because of OTTs? “I am not being reintroduced to the admirers who were already there... but it has just taken me to a different kind of fan base — teens and young people. This age group wasn’t aware of my work and it has kind of excited them to look for my previous works. That I find is amazing,” he grins.