OTT TAKES LEAD AS LAUNCHPAD OF ACTORS
With a new breed of Web platforms are abuzz who are preferring the medium to start their acting careers
For any aspiring actor, there can’t be a bigger dream than to see themselves make a mark on the big screen. However, that notion has been massively challenged in recent years, with many actors preferring OTT platforms to make their big acting debut now.
Actors such as Harleen Sethi (Broken But Beautiful), Nidhi Singh (Permanent Roommates),
Prajakta Koli (Mismatched),
Dhruv Sehgal (Little Things),
Ritwik Bhowmik (Bandish Bandits) and Tanya Maniktala (Flame and A Suitable Boy )— all of them chose the digital medium as their launch vehicle over the big screen, and have become established names now. And following the cue are many others who have realigned their aspirations to embrace the changing realities of the entertainment space.
“I mean sapna toh wahi tha ki films karenge. When you see newcomers coming [on the big screen], you think that one day I’ll also debut like that. But you also have to understand that the industry is such that it’s changing now,” shares Sonia Rathee, who made her acting debut with the recently released season 3 of Broken But Beautiful.
She adds, “We have OTT platforms and we have incredible content happening there. I wasn’t in search of a huge debut... I just wanted to work. I saw this opportunity coming my way, and I instantly loved it. I didn’t want to say no to it just because of the platform...”
Shloka Pandit’s film debut Hello Charlie
was supposed to have a theatrical release, but owing to the pandemic, it released online, and the actor isn’t complaining at all. “I think web is a great medium and has a much wider reach compared to a film that releases in cinemas. What happened with my film was a blessing in disguise. Everyone around the globe could watch it and I was very excited about that,” she reasons.
Even OTT platforms are happy about working with first-time actors. Gautam Talwar from one of the web streaming platforms, says, “For an actor today, since both films and OTT shows have the same cinematic benchmarks, the medium no longer matters as long, as it’s a piece of art that they are proud of.”
Lauding the OTT as a great medium to start one’s acting career, actor Naveen Kasturia feels that one doesn’t have to worry about being a popular face anymore to get a break.
“Initially, for people like me, I felt that you’ve to be a star’s son to be an actor. Now, OTT has opened a lot of doors for a lot of people, and I’m very happy. Even when the series Pitchers [His acting debut] came to me, I wasn’t thinking about the medium. I didn’t have a lot of work and films, so when the show came my way, I latched on to it. The medium has given me recognition and respect,” says the actor, who is garnering much praise for his recent show Aspirants.
Many actors also believe that the insider-outisder divide that’s often associated with the film industry, doesn’t exist on OTT platforms and everyone gets a fair chance to showcase their talent. Asheema Vardaan, who has been part of OTT series such as Dev DD and Abhay 2, says, “It’s very discouraging for newcomers in Bollywood, especially outsiders like me. I don’t want to do films anymore. I’m happy doing good work on OTT.”
search I wasn’t in debut... I just of a huge work. I saw wanted to and I opportunity this didn’t loved it. I instantly no to it just want to say platform the because of on. releasing it was
Actor RATHEE, SONIA
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