OTT makes Jaideep feel he has ‘finally arrived’
Actor Jaideep Ahlawat feels OTT has changed the course of his career. From his first short film Narmeen (2008) to now, Ahlawat aka Hathi Ram Chaudhary in the web series Paatal Lok, has walked a long road to success. “The lockdown situation has changed our viewing habit and did wonders for OTT. We knew Pataal Lok was good, but who would’ve expected so much love? Everyday a new set of people are watching Paatal Lok, many are even re-watching,” says the actor, who also earned accolades for his performances in Lust Stories and Bard of Blood on the web, and for Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and Raazi (2018).
“People are tagging me along with Manoj Bajpayee and Pankaj Tripathi and suggested to make this trio work for a blockbuster experience. OTT gave me the audience and recognition a performer craves for. I finally feel arrived. Won’t be surprised if I get mobbed for selfies, autographs now when I step out,” he laughs.
Ahlawat, 40, adds that there’s so much scope for writers, filmmakers and cinematographers to develop the story and characters on the web. “When these creative minds get to play, it opens up space for actors, too. OTT is a much liberating and democratic space. It did a miracle for the performer in me, which films couldn’t,” he shares.
However, he is quick to add that films and OTT are very different mediums. “Cinema has its own charm. I enjoy working in both mediums. But yes, in mainstream films, character actors like us get lesser scope at times,” Ahlawat says, adding that he has many film and web offers now, and unlike earlier, all are prominent characters. Even remuneration has been better.