Like most actors, Aarya Babbar is also making the most of the digital wave in the entertainment industry. He has not one but four web series lined up.

“It is every creative person’s medium — actors, directors and writers. The most important thing is whether you are talented and whether your talent can be seen or not… that, the OTTs are fulfilling. Over here, the whole saleability factor has been taken off,” opines Babbar.

The actor, who is currently shooting for the series Kudrat, goes on to explain how saleability is a major problem when it comes to theatrical projects.

“It is about kaisa ban raha hai project, Bollywood mein bahut chalta hain yeh. Here (on OTT), what matters is the content. I think this is a fantastic period for anyone who is in performing arts, that we are not bound or dependent on whether our producer will get back his money. That pressure is not there, so that makes it better for all of us. We just have to do our best,” he says.

Having been around for nearly two decades, Babbar has been a part of Hindi films such as Ab Ke Baras (2002), Guru (2007), Tees Maar Khan (2010) and Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013).

So, does he feel that his talent and potential remain underutilised in Hindi films? “I agree,” says the 39-year-old, adding, “I think now, with OTT, things could change and should change. But, the Punjabi film industry has always been very kind to me. I have made a name there and my films here have become super duper hits. I became the so-called perceptive star.”

Babbar, who is the son of veteran actor Raj Babbar, adds, “The love and adoration which I thought I would get in Mumbai, I ended up getting in Punjab. And for that, I am always indebted to the industry. That is why my connect with Punjabi is more emotional.”

But, he has no regrets about how things panned out in the Hindi film industry. “Actors like Akshay Kumar and Irrfan sir could have not opportunities in their 20s. They struggled and got opportunities late in life. They didn’t give up on themselves or their talent. That is what my path is, too,” he concludes.