Shriya Pilgaonkar, who has made a mark on the digital medium, shares that things aren’t as rosy in the OTT world as they might seem. She feels many makers on the web space are trying to cast actors with pre-existing fan base to encash in on their popularity.

She says, “I see a lot of casting happening on OTT based on the number of followers one has [on social media]. I have heard of such cases and have friends, who have had experiences where they were asked about their Insta following. But I don’t think genuinely good makers and production houses do that. Everybody has a different experience.”

However, the 33-year-old, who has been a part of shows such as Mirzapur, Guilty Minds and The Gone Game, says everything cannot be termed negative about the medium. “We see so many opportunities here — for both newcomers and stars. One can happily co-exist, I feel. There is no need to be negative about this. So I am not cynical about it entirely,” adds the actor.

And even if bias exists in casting, Pilgaonkar feels OTT is a writer’s medium rather than a star-driven vehicle. “You have different characters, many episode format. You have to rely on good performances, irrespective of star or no star. The makers are focusing on casting people who they think are truly good,” she ends.