Aahana S Kumra, who was last seen in the 2022 film India Lockdown, has revealed that she is venturing into production after not being offered shows for “more than three years.” “I am not being offered shows anymore. I used to do so much work on OTT, but I haven’t done any in years. Log saal mein 1-2 shows kar lete hain, mai toh woh bhi nahi kar rahi,” says the actor, who had earlier opened up about being ghosted by makers after auditions.

Ask why that is and the 39-year-old reasons, “Makers either go to A-listers for their projects or they prefer somebody who is going to charge less.” She adds, “I have carried the ‘good actor’ tag for a long time, but I am done. Yeh tag leke mujhe kuch karna nahin hai, agar kaam hi nahin mil raha. I have to pay my bills!”

So what’s next for her? “I have my own production house now and will be producing both OTT and theatrical projects. We did a puja for the production house a few days ago,” she replies and shares, “My entire focus is there now, I feel that’s the way forward for me. If I am offered [a role], I’ll do it on my terms. Everyone has become so replaceable these days.”

However, Kumra says that being in a tough spot has not killed her passion for cinema. “Being part of cinema is a dream that I am not going to give up on easily. If not through acting, I will accomplish it through production. I am not going to wait, I will just keep working,” she ends.

Actor Aahana S Kumra, who auditioned for the American drama series Suits: L.A. recently, says the West has been kinder to her than India. She has been in the industry for over a decade but still feels like an “alien” when it comes to casting in India: “I do more auditions in the West than in the country. In a month, I do four to five auditions for big shows in the US or UK. Here nobody calls me.”

Kumra, who travelled to Los Angeles, USA, for the audition recalls, “(Producer-writer) Aaron Korsh took my audition. I saw how professional they were towards their talent. I was overwhelmed with the kind of respect I got from them. I have never seen this happen in India.”

The 39-year-old rues that with social media influencers taking up acting jobs, even getting a call from casting directors is a challenge. “I don’t get any calls from [Indian] casting directors, they don’t even acknowledge my text. You’ll get a reply from a producer but not from a casting director. So, even I have stopped reaching out to them,” she says.

Kumra laments a lack of work for women actors. “There are a few roles being written for us and they are first given to film kids and yesteryear actresses. Someone has to reject a part for me to even have a conversation about it,” she ends.

Actor Aahana S Kumra, who has clocked a decade in the Hindi film industry, feels getting work has become more difficult today for her, compared to when she started out. “Clout and networking are the only things you are getting jobs through. A lot of actors are confused how to navigate it, as we are being told to be aggressively active on social media and get PR agencies,” she says.

The actor explains how social media has become more of a curse for actors than a boon. “When I started out, there wasn’t this kind of pressure, to look a certain way on social media and keep doing reels and dance videos. A lot of casting today happens on the basis of your social media following. It’s painful to get work in today’s time. Even filmmakers who you want to work with are moving towards people with social media clout, the influencers. So, actors are left wondering, ‘Should I become an influencer and start dancing on social media to get a job? Should I start ranting, do mimicry or be like a Dilli ki aunty?’ Is this how you are going to get a job?” she wonders.

Kumra, 39, feels influencers replacing professional actors in projects isn’t a great idea: “We will be lacking actors in our industry after a point. If you are being told to make a social media reel daily and dance to get cast, who’s going to act?”

She insists that besides the pressure of social media, being an outsider also acts as a disadvantage: “It is a brutal industry. It won’t give you a second chance as an outsider, though as an insider, you’d get 20-30 films to ruin before you figure out how to perform. Kids from film families are groomed from the age of five to be in the industry. It’s a bit clannish in today’s time,” she ends.

Back to her hometown for professional reasons, actress Aahana Kumra of Lipstick Under My Burkha fame, made the most of her visit. “Even though I was here for a professional commitment, I stayed back for a day and enjoyed the things that I love and miss the most about my hometown,” shared Aahana, adding, “My whole day passed in meeting my old friends and eating the famous dishes of Lucknow. I went to Chowk and Aminabad for some chikan shopping. Then I did some Ganjing and ate Shukla ki Chaat. I also had Sharma ki Chai in Lalbagh and met my best friends Esha and Kunal Punjabi.”

Aahana says she is happy that her favourite city hasn’t changed much in the past few years. “I am happy that Lucknow has maintained its charm and the places that I used to visit during my childhood are thankfully still there. For example, I went to this bookshop in Hazratganj and I could travel back in time and smell my school books. Lucknow does have a modern part to it on the Gomti Nagar side and a lot of my friends were after my life to go there. But agar mujhe mall hi jaana hoga toh main Lucknow ke mall kyun jaati, Mumbai mein jaati? The beauty of Lucknow is its old part.”

Telling us about things on the professional front Aahana shares, “I am shooting for a web series for independent producers, the announcement for which will be made soon. Plus, I have done a film with Purab Kohli and Rajat Kapoor. Things are moving very slowly, the entertainment market in general is moving quite slowly. A lot of shows that are made are stuck because of various reasons.”

Ask Aahana why she doesn’t give TV a try, and pat comes the reply, “I don’t get any calls for TV only. I keep assuming that they don’t want to work with me. What happens is that when the TV producers keep on seeing a particular actor doing only web series they assume that he or she is not interested in doing TV shows, which is not the case with me. TV is a different ballgame and the medium pays an actor well also. Plus, it is consistent work, unlike other mediums. I am ready to do a typical saas-bahu show. I did only one TV show, Agent Raghav, which was many many years ago. I am open to working on TV if I get good offers.”

In the past few years, Hindi cinema’s leading ladies have shown that action is no longer a male bastion. The latest entrants in the action genre are Aahana Kumra and Anushka Ranjan, who are fronting the upcoming series, Mixture. Director Hanish Kalia’s series plays out against the scenic backdrops of Goa and on the bustling streets of Mumbai, as the two protagonists find themselves delving deeper into the world of crime.

Kumra and Ranjan underwent months-long training to be fighting fit for the series that is currently being filmed. A source reveals that Ranjan trained in Krav Maga for the role.

“Anushka learnt various forms of martial arts, including kick-boxing and Krav Maga, under the guidance of professional trainers. She also engaged in strength and endurance training to enhance her physical prowess. Aahana too worked closely with the stunt coordinators to ensure she executed complex fight sequences seamlessly,” says the source.

Ranjan, who was last seen in Fittrat (2019), believes Mixture has challenged her in ways she had not anticipated. She states, “This action thriller is unlike anything I have done before. The character is complex, and the storyline is filled with twists that kept me on my toes throughout the shoot.”

Her baby bump is fake’ and ‘Pregnant women don’t walk like that, is she even pregnant?’ — these are among the many hard-hearted comments that were posted on social media after actor Deepika Padukone stepped out to vote on May 20. Social media is breeding ground for trolling vis-à-vis celebs. While Sonakshi Sinha quit X in 2020 and wrote on Insta: “I’ve cut the direct source of insult and abuse in my life”, Aamir Khan, too, deleted all his personal social media accounts in 2021 to avoid all the negativity. With buzz around the comments for mum-to-be Padukone, we wonder if social media has gone overboard, again.

Actor Alia Bhatt liked a journalist’s Insta post that was addressed to the trolls: “... you have no right to comment on any aspect of her life”. Actor Aahana S Kumra, who endorsed the post in the comment, was trolled for standing up for herself recently, when a fan kept his hand around her waist while getting clicked with her.

Adah Sharma faced threats for her films The Kerala Story (2023) and Bastar: The Naxal Story. She says, “Once you are a ‘celeb’, your personal life is open to one and all. The whole world becomes your family and is free to give their opinion.”

Actor Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya was trolled when she posted a video of her practising martial arts. The trolls said she should have a baby instead. She says, “When I’m subjected to trolling, I try to ignore them. But at times, I do speak up. I even filed a complaint in cyber cell once. I feel it’s important to raise a voice so they know that the fight is not going to be that easy.”

Producer Pritish Nandy feels celebs are targets: “When you create an army of trolls who work for political purposes, they post nasty things in their free time.”

On being trolled, actor Zareen Khan says, “People frustrated with their realities find social media as a medium of venting out their frustration, and celebs are easy targets. I have stopped reading such comments.”

Talking about Padukone, Kumra says, “It’s her body! Why are people commenting on it? She didn’t want attention when she stepped out to exercise her constitutional right. When I had raised my voice, I was trolled. People said: ‘Yeh kaun hoti hai bolne wali?’ It’s my body! I didn’t want someone touching me.”

Actor Aahana S Kumra says her mother, former cop Suresh Balyan Kumra, is her biggest role model. The actor tells us that the former DSP of Varanasi with a President’s medal and a 40-year long service to boot, has always been an inspiration to those around her.

Suresh, who spent her entire life in the country’s service, says the her children were always curious about her job: “The girls (Aahana and sister Shivani) were always super excited when I narrated my day’s work, whether it was interrogating suspects or going on raids.”

Aahana chimes in, “Mum was always on her toes, ready to take the call of duty. She has instilled many such qualities in us as well.”

Despite the nature of her job, Suresh has no regrets. “It was challenging to manage home and a job that is so demanding. But today I am happy to given my all as an officer,” she explains.

Aahana says that despite her illustrious career, her mum refused to slow down after she retired. “We thought that she would finally hang up her boots and relax. Instead, she enrolled in an LLB programme and graduated with a 90% score at the age of 68. That’s how she has been inspiring us to do what you believe in with all your heart,” the actor shares.

“As a child I just loved her demeanour as a cop. I think it will be difficult to emulate her on screen, but she will always continue to inspire me, first as an officer and now as a practicing lawyer,” says Aahana

Suresh has always supported her daughter’s profession: “Whatever one does, it must be done with complete honesty. I absolutely love how Ahana is as an actor and I am a very vocal mum. I love to watch her on stage; my favourites are her play Sir Sir Sarla and the OTT series Sandwich Forever.” 

Would she like to see Aahana play a cop on screen? “I feel they need to write the roles better for women. The roles of women officers are often misconstrued on screen,” Suresh says.

When it comes to OTT, Aahana S Kumra is being particularly selective. “There was a time when OTT was blooming and good content was the focus, but things have changed now. All these big names have suddenly taken over the space. Makers cast them as the first lead and then they are like, ‘Second lead wala aap kar lijiye’,” she tells us.

But, the Rangbaaz (2018) actor isn’t okay with that. “I don’t want to jump into anything just because I don’t have a project in hand. If I am not headlining a show, then so be it. I am not interested in repeating myself or playing second fiddle,” says Kumra, who is currently busy with theatre and is also awaiting the release of a film co-starring Purab Kohli and Rajat Kapoor.

Moreover, Kumra feels most web shows have “started to look similar”. She elaborates, “Everybody is making a crime drama; it’s cut-copy-paste content. Makers are obsessed with Kashmir-Pakistan. They will either make me a cop or an antagonist, and I don’t want that.”

Another reason she is being “very careful” about her choices is that it’s hard to compete with yesteryear actors. “Jinn actors ki filmein chal nahin rahin, and many yesteryear actors, have woken up to OTT. I can’t compete with them. So, I’m happy doing theatre and films. Jab kuch achcha aayega, tab dekhenge. If that means waiting a little longer, that’s okay.”

Aahana Kumra doesn’t believe in letting go of her roots. So, even though she is busy with films and web shows, the actress makes it a point to keep time aside for theatre. At the start of her journey, Aahana did several plays with Naseeruddin Shah’s theatre group.

Talking about performing in front of a live audience, she says, “I was introduced to theatre very early on. I have always stayed in touch with theatre, while there are so many actors who stopped doing it after they stepped into the world of movies. I made a conscious decision to continue doing theatre”.

She adds, “There are some plays that take us back to rehearsals. We have to cut off from the world consciously for those two or three months and this is exactly what happened with my recent play Constellations with Kunaal Roy Kapur.”

Aahana feels that there are several mediums that have opened up when it comes to entertainment, but there will always be an audience for live performances. She says, “I can say that first-hand as I have been doing theatre for so many years. I have seen housefull boards. Sometimes we have the same people coming for the shows repeatedly. Maybe they love to come and listen to the lines or they just find solace in that space.”

Aahana Kumra feels that Hindi films in 2023 were all about “being dark, angry and edgy”. The Lipstick Under My Burkha actress hopes 2024 can usher in levity and bring fun back into Bollywood.

Aahana, who ushered in the New Year at a resort in Bikaner, says, “I am doing three films in 2024, including one comedy. I am glad someone is offering comedy because primarily I don’t think India is known for the funny genre. We don’t want to laugh as people, we only want to watch unhappy, dramatic or sad films. Formula films are still ruling, and hence, the trend of grotesque and violent films. It is confusing for producers because they also want their money back. I feel we are sinking into this dark phase in cinema.”

She adds, “Cinema is becoming dark, edgy and angry. We don't have multi-starrers anymore either. It is about a hero dominating the screen and he wants to be treated like a star and hog all the attention.”

Sonam Kapoor has always been a fashionista, and recently she has been turning heads for all the appearances she’s been making at events in Mumbai. The Delhi-6 actress is quite an inspiration for the young breed of actors when it comes to pushing the boundaries of fashion and style. Recently, while talking to Aahana Kumra at a fashion event, the actress revealed that she looks up to Sonam for her stunning sense of style.

She said, “Sonam is iconic. She is the one who started this whole thing (fashion revolution on the red carpet) here. I think a lot of stylists around me have jobs because of her. Well, that is what my stylist keeps telling me (laughs). It is nice because I think she pushed all of us to move towards fashion. I think Sonam and Priyanka Chopra are inspiring.”

Apart from them, Aahana who was last seen in Call My Agent: Bollywood, also draws inspiration from Bollywood films. “I really like Karan Johar and Yash Chopra films. It was through the latter’s films that I got introduced to chiffon sarees. I loved Sridevi’s looks in Lamhe. So, these filmmakers are the ones who introduced easy, comfortable and yet, iconic fashion looks,” she shares.

The actress says that she loves wearing pantsuits as it compliments her height. Ask her what is one thing that she doesn’t like to sport, and she says, “Leather pants”! Mumbai is so hot and humid, and I don’t know how some people even wear those pants. I don’t think I can ever wear leather pants in life.”

Actor Aahana S Kumra was “overwhelmed” when she got a chance to meet English football legend David Beckham at an event in Mumbai recently.

“He was in India for a very short trip and made time to meet so many people. After our meeting and interaction, I found that he is such a polite and gracious person, whose family is at the core of his heart,” she tells us.

During his trip to India as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Beckham took some time out to watch the ICC Men’s World Cup semi-final match and even attended a filmy party. “It’s impressive how he managed to do so much during a short trip. He also went to the villages and met young girls. He expressed how he was very touched and impressed with the confidence that young girls in India have,” says the 38-year-old, adding, “He spoke very fondly about the country, saying it is his first time here, and how he’s going to visit again.”

This is something that makes the Indian in her extremely proud. “I’m glad that international legends are coming to India, seeing the country in a different light, noticing how confident our youth is and how open we are to welcoming people,” she ends.

Actor Gajraj Rao decided to give podcasting a shot after Amit Doshi, Head, IVM Podcasts-Pratilipi, shared his vision for Chitthiyaan, a fiction anthology; BAFTA-nominated actor Adarsh Gourav recording for Desi Down Under, an Audible original coming-of-age series, also voiced by Prajakta Koli and Taaruk Raina; Marvel’s Wastelanders: Star-Lord, which released in June, sees Saif Ali Khan make his audio debut as superhero Peter Quill

When audiobook giant Audible marked its entry into the country in November 2018, it did so in the most filmy-way possible—The bestselling non-fiction title, Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands, which it chose to lead with in its Indian audiobook roster, was recorded by actors Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte and Kalki Koechlin. It was, in a way, a sign of things to come.

Five years on, audio platforms have started creating original fiction and podcast content keeping stars in mind.

Since the beginning of this year, Audible has launched a robust slate of original fiction titles, helmed by some of the biggest names in the movie business. In February, the platform announced an association with Marvel Entertainment to bring a Hindi Audible series, Marvel’s Wastelanders, with a star-studded cast that includes Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharad Kelkar, Masaba Gupta, Prajakta Koli and Mithila Palkar.

“Following this, we dropped Social Distancing, written by Chetan Bhagat and voiced by Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi. Desi Down Under was another coming-of-age series voiced by Prajakta Koli, Taaruk Raina and Adarsh Gourav that explores cross-border storytelling,” shares Karen Appathurai Wiggins, VP and Head of Content, APAC, Audible, in an email interview.

Some of the other popular titles from the last few years include Kaali Awaazein by Amitabh Bachchan, who incidentally started his career with the All India Radio; The Sandman: Act I in Hindi, voiced by Tabu, Vijay Varma, Manoj Bajpayee, Adarsh Gourav, Kubbra Sait, Sushant Divgikar, Tillotama Shome, and Neeraj Kabi; Baby Doll starring Richa Chadha and Jaideep Ahlawat; and Sasuraal Wonder Phool helmed by Sanya Malhotra and Varun Sharma.

For an industry that’s still nascent and growing, adding actors to the mix has been good for being heard. For instance, Wiggins explains that in bringing a global franchise such as Marvel in Hindi, and with a localized star cast, the goal was to reach wider audiences.

“Since we wanted to bring these stories in Hindi, it became evident that we had to work with top-tier talent. Our aim was to ensure that the actors fully embody their respective characters and infuse their distinct personalities to bring these characters to life in a compelling way,” she says.

Late last month, IVM Podcasts’ announced its first-ever Hindi audio fiction anthology, Chitthiyaan, led by actor Gajraj Rao. Rao plays Prasad Joshi, who retires after serving in Indian Postal Services for 40 years. A box of undelivered letters that he receives from the post office, which coincides with his son’s decision to switch careers, sets Joshi on a completely different path.

“I’ve been an avid podcast listener for three to four years; my interest actually grew during the COVID-19 pandemic,” shares the actor.

Despite this, Rao admits being reluctant when approached for Chitthiyaan. “It was an entirely uncharted territory for me. It felt like stepping into a new realm,” he says, Amit Doshi, Head, IVM Podcasts-Pratilipi and the show’s director, Safura Ubaid, eased him into the process. “Their passion and enthusiasm were contagious, and I felt compelled to take the leap.”

There were different challenges. “Podcasting and traditional filmmaking are distinct in several ways,” says Rao. “In podcasting, the script takes centre-stage. The responsibility of conveying the narrative falls heavily on the words and sound design, as there are no visuals to rely upon. It’s a medium that demands a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling through the auditory senses.

“I came to realise the intricacies involved in maintaining the audience’s engagement without visual aids. It’s about finding that delicate balance between delivering a compelling story while ensuring that the content remains intellectually stimulating.”

Doshi says IVM has always “believed in the power of audio fiction”. If the podcasting network took this long it was because, “we were looking for the right project with the right script and the right cast. Everything came together beautifully for this project.” An actor like Rao helming their fiction debut, Doshi says, has given them the much-needed boost. “Gajraj is phenomenal. His performance was incredible. Working with talent like that forced our entire team to raise the bar.”

For actors Aahana Kumra and Gaurav Chopra, who’ve voiced Hindi thriller podcasts I Hear You (Spotify) and Murder (Storytel) respectively, it was curiosity about the medium that lured them. “It was quite overwhelming,” confesses Kumra.

“I had never acted in front of a mic. This is nothing like dubbing. But when I started, I genuinely started enjoying it.”

As an actor, Kumra says, good work is usually hard to come by. “Podcast fiction has allowed me to discover different opportunities.” It also takes away from the obsession of how you look on camera. “For a change, I focused on how I sounded,” she says.

Chopra, who is the official Hindi voice for Thor (from the Avengers), says the opportunity came naturally because of his other audio work. “I tend to be a bit choosy about [audio] projects,” he says over a phone call.

“It’s something I do on the side, but still an extension of what I do as an actor. I still need to act when I am trying to recreate something for the audio medium… say, a scene where I am jumping or lifting something heavy. Because the medium is growing, it’s also interesting.”

Actor, model, anchor Suchitra Pillai, who was part of the Audible Hindi Original Chillahat, a story about a tragically orphaned heiress, shares this sentiment: “Yes, I definitely see myself exploring the medium in the future.” She recalls playing Sita in BBC Radio 4’s The Ramayana (1994), a 14-part series. “To be able to emote, tell a story, and keep listeners glued to their headphones helps actors push their craft,” she says, “and that’s why it makes it more interesting. It’s about getting things across just with your voice.”

With more people today turning to podcasting, she feels this is a good time for actors to experiment in the space. “For any artiste, especially an audio artiste, the only way is up right now.”  

But podcasting is not everyone’s cup of tea, feels actor-director Mantra Mugdh, who runs the production house MantraMugdh and has collaborated on several audio podcasts—he is also artistic director of Marvel’s Wastelanders.

While he has noticed previously sceptical actors taking to the medium, audio OTT requires a bit of unlearning and learning. “This is a blind man’s television,” he says, “Your voice paints pictures on the canvas of the listeners’ minds. Most actors use multiple tools to convey their emotions, and the majority of those are related to the body. In audio dramas, all of these are useless. The eyes, the physique, the clothes, the style, the make-up—all go out of the window. All you have is your voice. And that’s where the magic lies. Of course, it is an added advantage if you are a celebrity. People might visit your show following a star, but they will stay only if the story is gripping enough and the performances are honest.”

 

While many believe that the audio market is currently saturated, Wiggins points to a FICCI-EY study, Audio OTT market size forecast in India FY 2021-2030, which “states that the market is expected to grow up to $1.1 billion in the next four years and up to $2.5 billion by the end of the financial year 2030”.

“In 2022, we saw a 39 per cent increase in paid member listening hours for our service in India and exponential growth in our free tier,” he says, “Given the popularity of our titles, we are bullish that this will continue. The recent success of our titles, such as Marvel’s Wastelanders: Star-Lord, stands testament to this upward trajectory… We anticipate this to continue as people increasingly take to audio-first services for entertainment, relaxation.”

Rohan Nayak, co-Founder of Pocket FM, a global audio series platform, references a survey conducted among 9,616 Internet users in India. “It unveiled some intriguing trends in audio content consumption preferences,” he shares over email. “The dominant format turned out to be audio series, with 41 per cent of respondents indicating a preference for it. Music came in a close second at 29 per cent, while audiobooks and podcasts were favoured by 20 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.”

Rising screen fatigue, he says, has contributed to its popularity. “The audio series concept is in an experimental phase, and we anticipate a wave of innovations in the near future.” At present, Pocket FM has more than 15 series that have garnered over 100 million plays, with another 15-20 series surpassing 50 million plays. Nayak says that instead of cherry-picking from the existing bundle of movie actors, who are also stellar voice artistes, Pocket FM has been looking at bringing new talent to the fore. “At the heart of our thriving audio series library is our vibrant creator community, which comprises both talented writers and voice actors,” he says, “Our mission is clear: To identify, nurture, and elevate new artistes and writers, transforming them into audio celebrities in their own right.”

Mugdh doesn’t feel that actors are stealing jobs away from existing voice artistes. What, he feels, it will do is make the space more competitive and democratic. “Voice artistes are industry veterans, and visual actors will have to strive to bring out their ‘sound’ performance to find a way into the listeners’ hearts through their ears, and carve out their place. Mind you, the voice industry has a massive following, and listeners are accustomed to a certain level of performance. If you fall short, be ready for criticism.”

With inputs by Hiren Kotwani

Suchitra Pillai and Karen Appathurai Wiggins

The television industry has provided fertile ground for female protagonists to shine and to be the centre of the show. TV has given them a chance to get the same respect and recognition as their male counterparts. In fact, I agree that OTT platforms have also disrupted the traditional power dynamics of the Indian film industry. There is no doubt that we’ll be creating a level playing field for women to showcase their talent and creativity.

In television, whoever is the lead of the show gets paid more. Whoever brings in the most viewership for the show will be paid in accordance with that; it doesn’t matter what their gender is. I look at it in terms of, ‘Who’s running the show?’ I’ve never been in a situation where someone got paid more than me or when I’ve been paid more than someone. In the projects that I’ve been involved in, pretty much everyone gets paid according to what they bring to the table and they seem to be happy about it.

The TV industry is primarily a medium where actors, producers, directors and almost every artiste are women. If not more, female protagonists do get paid equally as their male counterparts. In a time when pay disparity has existed in mainstream cinema for years, the television industry is definitely paving the way for women to be equally valued and paid for their hard work. Time has surely taken a reverse turn, as women are far more valued now and are being paid better than they were earlier.  

The TV and OTT industries have been game-changers for female artistes. In most cases, female actors on TV get paid equally or more than men. This is a positive step towards gender equality in the entertainment industry, as it shows that women are valued for their work and talent. However, it is also important to remember that sometimes people are paid according to their experience and worth. It is not always a reflection of how hard one person has worked compared to the other. This is not the case for everyone and pay inequality is still a major issue in many industries. It is important to recognise and address this problem if we want to create a more equitable society.

I don’t think that female protagonists get paid more or equally in the OTT industry. Maybe it happened with Raveena Tandon (who starred in the web show Aranyak) because she’s already a Bollywood star. People also get different treatment because of their background. When you come from a mainstream cinema background, you come with the mindset that, ‘Oh, I’m already a star in Hindi films, and I’m moving to OTT, so I should get a higher pay’. I don’t think that happens with other actors; in fact, I don’t think I get equal pay. 

In television, now and always, especially since the whole Ekta Kapoor era started, women have been at the forefront. Since then, they’ve been getting paid more because they play the leading roles. It’s a commercial business and at the end of the day, whoever is in the driver’s seat will get paid more. Gender isn’t really the deciding factor here. Whoever can attract more viewers will have a higher price. It is a very clear business principle: whoever controls the market will control the price. 

I don’t think female leads are paid equally or more than their male counterparts in the OTT industry, unless the woman is a significantly bigger star. The pay disparity scenario has changed from what it used to be 10 years ago. However, I don’t think there’s been a blanket change across the industry. Also, it differs from one project to another. There are times when I get paid more, and sometimes my co-actors are paid more. And the inequality is not just about the actor’s fee but also things like hotel, vanity van, flight, etc. that again vary for different actors.

In this profession, no project will be similar to another because of the people attached to it. I’ve experienced the difference in storytelling, as we see a lot of stories being told about women in OTT. The characters for women on TV and OTT are quite empowering. But in terms of pay parity, I do feel that OTT still has a long way to go. With TV, it is definitely true that women are paid equally or even more than their male counterparts. I’ve worked on both mediums, so I can speak for both industries. If you’re headlining a project and you’re the biggest star, then you will automatically be paid more. And talent is, unfortunately, not respected as much in our industry as marketing is.

It’s true that women are paid equally or more in the TV industry and I’m sure of it because I started my career on the small screen. I don’t think, unless I was a star kid, I would have been given a role like Chandramukhi Chautala in movies. I was paid a bomb during my tenure on (TV show) FIR. In fact, I think I was the highest-paid actor on TV at that time. In films, less performance-oriented roles are given to women. However, in my 20 years of career, I’ve seen that women are always considered important script-wise on television. I’ve never done any mainstream Hindi films, and whenever something was offered to me, the payment used to be peanuts, like almost no money. 

In showbiz, there is no fixed pay scale or grade. An actor’s fee is negotiated based on the value they bring to a project through their skills and brand value. As much as we’d like to believe that it should be based more on the former, it’s mostly the latter — the belief that a certain person will bring in audiences and more eyeballs to the project. If my co-star is more famous than me (according to the producers), they’ll definitely be paid more, and vice versa. Since this value is subjective, it’s prone to biases and inaccuracies. No two actors will be paid equally in a project, irrespective of gender, unless they negotiate together, which is a rare occurrence. That is how this business works. 

Over the weekend, at Cardi B’s concert in Las Vegas, a fan flung a drink at the rapper who reacted by throwing a microphone at the attendee. With the fan filing a police report of battery against Cardi B, the incident has once again put the spotlight on how admirers are breaching personal boundaries and even attacking celebrities.

On home turf, Aahana Kumra had an unfortunate incident at a red-carpet event, in late May, when a fan held her by the waist while posing for a picture with her. The actor immediately berated him for touching her without her consent.

“I saw Cardi B’s video, and to me, her [gesture] was a reflex,” says Kumra, lending her support to the rapper. As much as she is grateful to her fans for their love, the actor highlights that it is worrying how some admirers do not respect personal space. Recounting her episode, she says, “I don’t think the guy intended [harm]. The minute I told him, he backed off. But this is a larger problem—people are crossing the line with actors. My body cannot be violated. Please take our permission before touching us. It’s basic [courtesy]—I don’t touch a baby or pull their cheeks before asking the parents. People should not think that just because actors are public figures, they can be touched without permission.”

Earlier this year, Aditya Roy Kapur too was seen getting uncomfortable when a female fan tried hugging him. Kumra asserts that stars don’t owe it to their fans to tolerate their bad behaviour. “You don’t owe anyone anything, and no one can walk all over you. Fans make us, we respect [their love]. But a push is a push, and a no is a no. Take our consent.”

Aahana S Kumra, who has starred in OTT shows of different genres, including comedy, action, drama and family entertainer, reveals that she is annoyed with a streaming platform for not renewing her show, Sandwiched Forever, for a second season. The 38-year-old was a part of a comedy-drama series revolving around a couple whose life changes after their marriage, because of constant intervention by their parents.

“I would not like to name them, but I am pissed,” says the actor, adding, “I was a part of this incredible show with an amazing ensemble cast. They (the platform; Sony LIV) did not give it a nod for season two. To date, the makers and the entire cast get asked why that did not happen.” 

Kumra feels the reason could be the lack of acceptance of comedy-genre shows and movies by some platforms. “It was a comedy drama; maybe that’s the reason why it was not renewed for season two,” she shares, adding, “Makers are also very angry. The platform seems to be very happy making violent shows. They don’t want to take any risk.”  

Citing examples of shows like Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai and Khichdi, Kumra says, “These iconic shows never had to show any violence or rely on gimmicks; it was just pure content.”

She rues the fact that there is a scarcity of family entertainers and comedy dramas on OTT. “I feel very annoyed about the fact that they just don’t want to attempt comedy because it is difficult to write,” she ends.

Aahana S Kumra is quite an established name today in the OTT space, having done web shows such as Marzi, Betaal, Forbidden Love (all 2020), Call My Agent Bollywood (2021) and season two of Avrodh, to name a few. However, the actor confesses that she’s not a fan of Hindi language content streamed online these days.

“I don’t identify with it anymore. I think a lot of stuff has been made for the sake of trying to fill the void,” she tells us, adding, “I was almost done with the cringe [content] I was watching on Hindi OTT; I stopped [watching] it after a point. Now, I opt for a Korean drama or an English show.”

The reason? “There are many different genres that people abroad are experimenting with. But in India, we’re just stuck with murder mysteries and investigative shows. I got bored of watching such repetitive content,” she says.

In the last two years, the 38-year-old has received just one offer for the web, but several film offers. Apart from the fact that makers aren’t experimenting enough, Kumra is also not too fond of the excessive usage of cuss words and vulgarity on screen. However, she is strictly against censorship. 

“While watching OTT content, things are quite literally in your (audience) hands. So, if you don’t like something, switch the channel. If you feel it’s disturbing or harmful, don’t watch that content,” she says.

The actor elaborates, “The audience can decide what they want to watch. How far can you tell your audience whether to watch something or not? The audience ranges from a 16-year-old to a 60-year-old. And they are not dumb.”

“My mother is a consumer of OTT content. If she does not like something, she changes [to another show]. That’s [also] the reason why films in theatres aren’t working these days; people are rejecting things outright. Our audience is very smart and knows what they want to consume. Censorship won’t make any difference to their choices,” Kumra concludes.

A video of Aahana S Kumra sternly saying, “Don’t touch me”, to a man has caught the attention of internet users. The actor reveals that the person in question put his arm around her waist while getting clicked with her, making her rather uncomfortable. 

Recounting the incident, she tells us: “While I was exiting a party, some people came to me to ask for selfies and I agreed. This one guy suddenly put his hand around my waist. I immediately said, ‘Don’t touch me’. I don’t want to be rude to anybody. But this guy had his hand around me and I was like, ‘Hello, I don’t know you!’” 

Kumra, who was seen in the film India Lockdown (2022), feels lines are getting blurred today, largely owing to social media and the accessibility it provides. “People think we’re on social media and so accessible because they see us every day, but sometimes the lines get blurred. They think they know us, but we don’t know them. There has to be a boundary,” she asserts, batting for tighter security at events. 

“When we are called to any event or party, it’s important that our security is kept in mind... There was nobody to cordon off these people (who approached her for selfies). This has never happened to me before; it kind of threw me off. I will politely decline photos now if it’s going to be harassment.” 

But, this isn’t the first time a fan has crossed the line with the Marzi (2020) actor. “Somebody once came into my house with a friend, saying he wanted to narrate a script. Nobody knew who he was; I don’t know who allowed him in. He was sitting in my hall and then we had to call the cops. Later, he accepted that he had just come to meet me. I was scared, what if he harmed somebody in the house?” says the 37-year-old, adding, “People say actors become unapproachable; this is why. You can’t invade somebody’s personal space. You can’t cross that line.”

Of late, several social media influencers have forayed into acting — be it Prajakta Koli in JugJuggJeeyo (2022), Mismatched, Viraj Ghelani in Govinda Naam Mera (2022), Kusha Kapila in Selfiee, Masaba Masaba season 2 — to name a few. But, this new and emerging practice of casting, actor Aahana S Kumra feels, is only fair if people are hired for their merit and not their follower count.

“Many shows that are now coming on big streaming platforms star Instagram influencers. How many of them are really acting? Influencers are influxing the acting space,” the actor shares.

The 37-year-old finds it “heartbreaking” to see young and aspiring actors losing out on work due to this trend: “There are kids doing theatre, who come to me to discuss this [issue]. It is heartbreaking to listen to them say they are not being hired because they don’t have Insta followers... The whole space is becoming so noisy. In the West, you get hired for talent, not because you are an influencer. This has become a constant conversation on every set today. It has left actors perplexed, they just don’t know what to do.”

But Kumra, who has carved a place for herself in the industry with projects such as Inside Edge and Call My Agent: Bollywood, believes in taking matters into her own hands. “That is what has pushed me to become a writer. I want to make my [own] stuff. I hope to continue writing stories and make content. At the moment, what I am writing is still in process, but it is turning into a good thing. I hope to talk about it soon,” she reveals.

When it comes to her acting projects, Kumra has decided to go with the flow. “Now, I want to venture into new spaces because it’s very easy to typecast actors. It’s nice to be able to break out of that mould and find a new world. There are certain things in the pipeline, which I will share once they are formalized,” she wraps up.