ASHA NEGI: OTT HAS OPENED DOORS FOR TV ACTORS
Actor Asha Negi gets excited when you mention OTT and the projects she has done on the medium so far. The web space has not just given her more recognition, but in her words, has “totally changed the game” for her career.
Negi has been part of a diverse range of projects on the digital platform. She made her web debut with Baarish, opposite actor Sharman Joshi, in 2019. This was followed by the Anurag Basu directorial, Ludo (2020), which fetched her critical appreciation. Then came the third season of the show, Abhay, with actor Kunal Kemmu. Speaking to us about her journey, the actor shares, “We all know how challenging and difficult it is to move from TV to films. It has now become a little easier or open towards television artistes. OTT has opened opportunities for us
[TV] actors.”
Negi also feels that on the web, all actors, whether from the film or television industries, are treated the same way. “You don’t feel a difference in people’s behaviour towards TV actors here. I remember, while working on Abhay, there was a very difficult scene, and I delivered it really well after a few retakes. Kunal (Kemmu) came to me and said, ‘That was really good’. There is no film or TV actor (in the OTT industry). You just do your work with dedication. If you have talent, you will get appreciated. That’s the best part,” explains the 32year-old, who is working on another web project currently.
Opening up about her own experience, Negi says that so far, she hasn’t faced any discriminatory or unfair treatment because of her TV background. “As of now, I have only worked in shows and films which were meant for OTT. Ludo was a film, but it was directed by Anurag Basu, and dada is like family. I know there can be some preferential treatment towards film actors in front of TV actors. Frankly, we all are okay with it, since films are their homeground and we are entering it. Initially, it can be like that. But after three-four films, it will be the same for you,” the actor ends.
Television and film artistes are treated the same way on the digital medium, and what truly matters is one’s talent, feels the actor