‘OTT has not reached saturation point’
Everybody is trying new things — be it writers, directors or actors. It is a very positive space for the industry right now PRATIK GANDHI, Actor
Pratik Gandhi’s Scam 1992 (2020) is among the most popular web shows in India so far. Not only did it prove that the medium can make stars out of actors, but also amped up the OTT craze. But then came the question of the platform reaching a saturation point, with deteriorating quality of content and redundant bold scenes, among other factors.
Ask if the increased demand for content has led to the perceptible decline in quality, and Gandhi disagrees: “OTT has not reached a saturation point. The medium is just four-five years old in India. It’s a relatively new format and the way it has grown is enormous. Yes, a lot of content has been churned out, but that makes the medium even more challenging.”
The 42-year-old feels that the massive demand has a silver lining too. “To make good stuff, the makers have to create a different identity than others. While it’s challenging, it’s a welcome change. Things are getting innovative, as everybody is trying new things — be it writers, directors or actors. It is a very positive space for the industry right now,” he says.
After Scam 1992, Gandhi went on to star in web shows such as The Great Indian Murder and Modern Love Mumbai. Does the criterion for signing a project change after an actor finds success? “I don’t know about being choosy, but my only concentration is on taking up different types of characters. I want to become finer with every project. I did Modern Love Mumbai as it had a gay character, something I’d never done before. The Great Indian Murder, too, was different,” says the actor, adding that sometimes, for actors, being picky becomes inevitable, as you’re easily stereotyped: “Once you play a role really well, you are offered similar parts. But luckily, that never happened with me [as I was offered diverse roles].”