Showing posts with label Panchayat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panchayat. Show all posts
Amol Parashar on Gram Chikitsalay being compared to Panchayat: "We have found our own standing"
9:48 AM
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; July 14, 2026)
Why does Amol Parashar seamlessly blend with Dr Prabhat, his character from Gram Chikitsalay? Because they both seem grounded and refreshingly honest. He is deeply connected to his roots, and finding joy in the little things is another reason why they seem similar. As the Prime Video series returns with its second season, the actor talks to mid-day about finding the show’s own identity beyond inevitable comparisons with Panchayat, why stories about good people still matter, and stepping out of Chitvan’s long shadow. Excerpts from the interview.
Your character, Dr Prabhat, experiences a culture shock moving to a rural set-up. Was it a culture shock for you as an actor?
Not as much. For the sake of the storytelling, we’ve shown him as someone who has never stepped inside a village. But that’s not the case with me in real life. I have relatives who live in rural areas. My grandmother used to live in a village and we would often go there during the summer holidays. My uncle still lives in a village on the Jaipur highway. While I am unable to go there as often now, I was there recently for a wedding.
The show tackles corruption, poor medical infrastructure, and systemic inefficiencies. How much of that was new information for you?
None of these things are industry-specific. We all know the inefficiencies of our system. Some of us choose to look at it and call it for what it is. Some choose to look away and pretend that everything is perfect. But deep down, we all know it is not. I also believe there is a lot of scope for improvement. That’s why people relate to the story. I don’t think anyone in the audience will ask, ‘Ghoos kya hota hai?’
The rural setting invites comparisons with Panchayat. How did you ensure Dr Prabhat felt like a different character?
This is something we were aware might happen, more for the show than for us as actors because everyone has their own style and personality. I believe there is a difference at the character level. While both stories begin with a city boy arriving in a village, their motivations are different. Dr Prabhat has chosen to be there, while Jeetu’s [Jitendra Kumar’s] character wants to leave. So I wasn’t worried about comparisons. By season two, we have found our own standing.
After the first season, several medical professionals reached out to you. Did any of those conversations influence the performance in season two?
No, I don’t remember that. What made me happy was receiving messages from people facing the choice between bending to the system or sticking to their values, who were inspired by the story. Everybody knows it’s a fictional character. But it gives you a lens of what is possible. [Besides entertainment], stories are also supposed to imbibe values in society. Over time, we have stopped telling stories of just plain good people because it was considered boring. Gram Chikitsalay is an example that a story about an aspirational protagonist can still be entertaining.
For years, people associated you with Chitvan from Tripling. Has that changed now?
I think some people, not many, are probably discovering Chitvan through Prabhat. Most people know Tripling or Chitvan, or at least know the song even if they haven’t seen the show. Some people are saying they like Prabhat more, while others still prefer Chitvan. But the perception is shifting. As a character, and as a show, there is no longer the shadow of a previous role. There is also a niche audience that remembers me as Bhagat Singh from Sardar Udham (2021).
Back to the stage
After nearly a decade away from theatre, Amol Parashar returned to it with the play, ‘Besharam Aadmi’. “It had been around eight to nine years. The whole story started from the stage, after I left my job. I used to miss it. I just didn’t know how to make it happen. With film and series schedules making ensemble theatre difficult, the only way to do it is to create a one-man show. I feel your instinct gets trained by direct and unfiltered feedback. It is a nice way to connect and have conversations with people after the show.”
The minute something does well, it will become a template-Sheeba Chadha
8:46 AM
The Trial 2 actor Sheeba Chadha opens up about female rivalry on set while questioning OTT’s growing obsession with templates
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; September 9, 2025)
The Trial’s second season has brought several reunions for Sheeba Chadha, including with former collaborator Umesh Bist, who took over the directing duties for this instalment of the JioHotstar show. The two had previously worked together on the Sanya Malhotra-starrer Pagglait (2021), a world drastically different from that of the legal drama. But what remained constant, Chadha says, was Bist’s sensitive approach.
“I had a very good working experience with him in Pagglait. What is amazing is that the zone of The Trial is diametrically opposite from that of Pagglait. But he brings sensitivity and gentleness to the show. I think there’s enough fire and spice in the script. But the landing of it with a gentle hand, an eye that sees a little bit more than what’s on the page, and then to encourage the actors to look at it and to bring that into play, that’s what Umesh always brings to anything he does. It’s his eye for emotional detail. He will always make the script flower more,” the actor shares.
Chadha also enjoyed returning to the set alongside the show’s other talented women, including Kajol and Kubbra Sait. While the sexist notion that women don’t get along is often attached to projects featuring several female actors, Chadha believes this idea is outdated.
“That’s a very old school [of thought] that if there are two or three women together [it’s difficult]. Nobody wants to indulge that. Of course, this kind of feeling [of insecurity] any actor can have towards any actor. But it’s outdated to pander to that narrative. Sisterhood is just wonderful, there’s no doubt about it. You just have to allow it. It’s really solid and brings you so much.”
The Trial will mark her fifth release in 2025 alone — three shows and two films, both on OTT and the big screen. The streaming space has given her rich opportunities to showcase her versatility, through projects like Bandish Bandits, Mirzapur, and Taj Mahal 1989. But there are murmurs in the industry that stories on OTT are beginning to follow a template, with unconventional ideas struggling to take off. Chadha admits she has been hearing about “recession in the industry”.
“Right now, I’m hearing this, ‘Oh! the industry is going through a recession.’ And, ‘People want to see everyday stories, relatable stories.’ So what seems to be working right now are the smaller town stories. Now that’s a template, right? Panchayat [Prime Video series] is a template. Gullak [SonyLIV series] is a template. I’ve just done a show called Bakaiti, which probably falls in the same template. Can there be more expansive content? I think that goes without saying, always, because the minute something does well, it will become a template. It takes a lot to break that [mould] and come up with stuff that is not driven by commerce. Having said that, I am hugely grateful for the vast canvas of stuff that I’ve gotten to perform on OTT — Bandish Bandits is very different from The Trial, which in turn is very different from other stuff that I have done.”
People on the street may recognize me, but that doesn’t mean I feel famous-Pankaj Jha
2:20 PM
Despite the fame and recognition that Panchayat has brought him, Pankaj Jha aka Vidhayakji talks about being detached from fame and conventional ideas of success
Komal RJ Panchal (MID-DAY; July 19, 2025)
With a recurring role in three seasons of Panchayat, actor Pankaj Jha aka the sharp-tongued Vidhayakji has become a recognised face. But the actor is refreshingly detached from the fame the popular dramedy has brought him. “I don’t belong to any industry,” he says, before adding, “I live in Pune. I paint, I write poetry; acting is just a part of my life. I recently had a successful solo art show at Jehangir Art Gallery. That is also part of my expression.”
The actor views Panchayat — led by Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, and Raghubir Yadav — as another avenue of creative expression. The fame is a byproduct. “People on the street may recognize me, but that doesn’t mean I feel famous. For me, success is being in the moment. Most people keep recycling their past achievements to feel worthy,” he shares.
Jha has over 50 films to his credit, including Monsoon Wedding (2001), Company (2002), Black Friday (2005), and Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005). But acting, to him, has never been about visibility or strategizing to build a robust career. “I don’t manage projects. I simply respond to energy,” he says.
That’s how he chose his latest film, Sarpanch Sahab. He shares, “When I met Shahid Khan, the director, his sincerity and honesty drew me in.”
In an industry where advertising one’s work comes a close second to the craft, he doesn’t believe in promoting his work. “If your work speaks, why should you? If it doesn’t, then no amount of talking will help,” he smiles.
Streaming platforms shift from dark thrillers to family-friendly stories to woo small-town India
10:47 AM
Streamers move beyond dark action, crime and thriller to family-friendly content to cater to tier-2, -3 audiences
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; July 18, 2025)
Streaming platforms have diversified their content strategy over the past year and a half, moving beyond dark Action, Crime and Thriller (ACT) content to family-friendly dramas, romance and comedies that reflect cultural values, emotions, and everyday realities of small cities and towns. This shift, consultants and streaming platforms said, is aimed at connecting with a much wider and long-overlooked viewer base.
Web series such as Gram Chikitsalay, Mitti - Ek Nayi Pehchaan, Dupahiya (Amazon Prime Video), Ghar Wapsi and Thukra Ke Mera Pyaar (JioHotstar), Bada Naam Karenge (Sony LIV) and Pyaar Testing (Zee5) show this trend.
"Audiences from tier-2 and tier-3 cities are decisively shaping the next chapter of digital entertainment growth. We are expanding beyond metro-centric narratives and investing in stories rooted in regional ethos. This has led to deeper audience engagement,” said Raghavendra Hunsur, chief content officer at Zee Entertainment Enterprises.
The share of content in the ACT genres in the total streaming content has reached a saturation point at 43%, shows data from media and entertainment research firm Ormax Media.
“India’s streaming content is currently dominated by shows in the action, crime and thriller genres. As platforms increase their subscriber base beyond tier-1 cities, we will see a clear rise in family-friendly content,” said Keerat Grewal, head of business development, streaming, TV and brands at Ormax Media.
Increasingly, as streaming platforms expand their presence beyond metros, family-friendly stories will find more takers as ACT content lacks broad appeal, said industry consultants.
"Streamers have been aware of the political system in India. There are limitations to storytelling. In this context, Action, Crime and Thriller (ACT) emerged as safe and exciting genres. Data insights also supported the demand for such content,’ said Shrirang Nargund, an independent consultant on streaming business. ‘But content in these genres does not have a broad appeal especially with the Indian family audience,’ he added.
Even the treatment of Indian ACT content has also been unsuitable for family viewing, pointed out industry veterans.
‘‘Streaming content especially in the crime genre is handled so well in the west. There is so much warmth in their crime content. But the treatment of Indian streaming content in the crime genre is too dark to the point of being repulsive. This is unsuitable for Indians, especially family audiences,’ explained Saurabh Varma, a veteran film marketing strategist.
While only 45% of Hindi web series are set in small towns and rural settings, they account for 60% of high engagement shows, according to Ormax Media research. Besides comforting optimism and emotional connection, a key factor which has worked for them is their rootedness.
A case in point is one of the most acclaimed Hindi web series, Panchayat, of Amazon Prime Video. In its fourth season, the series shows the experiences of an engineering graduate who settles for a low-paid job as a secretary of a gram panchayat in a fictional village of Uttar Pradesh. According to the data shared by Amazon Prime Video, India, Season Four of the series in its launch week was streamed in 95% of India’s PIN codes as well as in over 180 countries and territories.
“For us, genre is just a way of telling a story that explores a particular theme. This approach allows us to tell deeper, more nuanced stories rooted in local sensibilities, enabling a wide range of viewing experiences, be it individual, family, or community-based,” said Nikhil Madhok, director & head, Originals, at Prime Video, India.
Increasing share of connected televisions (watching streaming content on TV) in India has also boosted the share of family-friendly content on streamers. In the past five years, the number of connected TVs in Indian homes has jumped four times. According to Ormax Media, this has led to a shift from solo viewing of OTT content to family viewing, leading to more balanced content offerings.
In addition to this, streamers are of the view that increasing share of family-friendly content is largely a part of a diversification strategy.
“The strategy is to have a diversified content slate. With connected TVs, there is a propensity towards a little more ‘inclusive viewing’. In this context, most of our shows have been covering upcountry and other geographies,” said Sony LIV content head Saugata Mukherjee.
Industry consultants said streamers must rely more on writers’ creativity than data insights to produce content.
Family-friendly genres such as sci-fi and horror-comedy, which are under-explored, can help streamers to gain more subscribers, they said.
My Instagram inbox is filled with abuses-Sunita Rajwar
10:42 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 11, 2025)
For her recent outing, the fourth season of Panchayat, actor Sunita Rajwar has been receiving a lot of love for her performance, but also hatred for one of the scenes on the show. “Mujhe log bahut buri-buri gaaliyan de rahe hain, saying: ‘How could you make such nasty comments to a pregnant Khushboo?’,” says the actor, as she refers to a scene in the show, where her character (Kranti Devi) gets into a fight with the character Khushboo, played by actor Tripti Sahu, and links to a father-like character, played by actor Faisal Malik.
Despite all the negative comments, Sunita is content, as it makes her believe that she delivered her part well. “Koi kos raha hai, koi bad-dua de raha hai… On one hand, they’re congratulating me for becoming the pradhan in the show, and on the other, they’re cursing me for that comment. My Insta inbox is filled with abuses. But, it has boosted my confidence as I feel I played my part convincingly,” says Sunita, adding that she has “even replied to most of them”.
Sunita reveals that while she has been called “irritating yet cute padosi” for her work in Gullak, this hate came as a surprise and she is “enjoying the hate”.
She adds, “My husband and I were reading the messages and laughing about how innocently people get so involved in a show, despite knowing it’s fake.”
In Panchayat third season, I wasn’t much involved in the series. So, I was low-Sunita Rajwar
9:06 AM
Taking centre stage in Panchayat 4, Sunita Rajwar recalls being dissatisfied with her character arc in the third season and confiding in co-star Neena Gupta, who made her understand
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 20, 2025)
The spotlight is on Sunita Rajwar’s Kranti Devi in the fourth season of Panchayat, and the actor is relishing every bit of it. It feels sweeter considering she was dissatisfied by her character arc in the previous instalment of the comedy that also stars Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, and Jitendra Kumar, among others.
“In the third season, I wasn’t much involved in the series. So, I was low. But this time, all the scenes are interactive. When you have a good team of actors, you enjoy playing the part,” she smiles.
In the Prime Video series’ upcoming season, Rajwar and Gupta play bitter rivals vying to win the upcoming elections. But off-screen, the two enjoy a bond of trust and respect. Rajwar reveals she had shared her last season’s displeasure with Gupta, who helped her overcome the feeling.
“I was feeling awkward and reacting a lot [to the disappointment]. She made me understand things better,” she recalls, adding that her co-star is her go-to person for career and life advice. “If I go haywire, she is always there to guide me.”
Recently, Gupta told mid-day that she enjoys a beautiful working relationship with Rajwar (Today I’m wearing a saree, tomorrow I’ll wear shorts, June 14). Rajwar’s fondness for her is evident as she expresses her admiration for the senior actor’s grounded nature.
“She doesn’t have an ego. If she suggests something and I have a different opinion, she will listen to my point of view. I learn so much by observing how she handles herself.”
Once, I said something in a friendly manner to an actor. That person took off on me. I was in tears-Neena Gupta
2:58 PM
Returning with Panchayat 4, Neena Gupta discusses challenging the ageism prevalent in Bollywood through her work and style statements
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 14, 2025)
Panchayat, over its last three seasons, has become one of those shows that bring a smile to our face. It has the same effect on Neena Gupta too. But the actor, who plays Manju Devi, one of the central characters in the dramedy, says that she was surprised by how the humour had been upped in the fourth season.
“This season has amazing humour. There are certain sequences in which all of us actors would start laughing while performing,” she chuckles.
The Prime Video dramedy also stars Raghubir Yadav, Jitendra Kumar, and Sunita Rajwar, among others. Gupta is among the senior cast members, and enjoys immense respect from her co-stars. Does she dole out advice to her younger co-actors, considering she has a rich four-decade career behind her? She knows better than doing that.
The actor explains, “These days, everyone’s ego is so [inflated] that you have to think a hundred times before you say something to someone. They don’t like it. I had a couple of such experiences [outside of the show]. Once, I said something in a friendly manner to another actor. That person took off on me. I was in tears.”
Such experiences have made her wary of reaching out to not only younger co-stars, but also those senior to her. “I had a senior co-star who would act well, but didn’t believe in give-and-take as co-actors. I can advise some people, like Sunita. She knows I don’t have ill intentions if I’m making her understand something.”
At 66, Gupta’s thriving career is an antidote to Bollywood’s ageist culture. But then, there has been nothing conventional about the veteran actor, be it her 2017 candid post about not getting work, or making style statements.
Breaking the rules is far from easy, she says. “You have to pay the price for [being unconventional]. But it’s my priority. Today I’m wearing a saree, tomorrow I’ll be wearing shorts. It’s what I feel like doing. I’m not hurting anyone, right? If it had affected the roles I would get, I might not have worn them. Also, I want to say that I didn’t get work because of what I wrote in that post. I got work because of Badhaai Ho [2018]. Basically, your film should be a hit and you should have a good role in it; only then you’ll get more roles,” she laughs.
Not everyone is gifted with comic timing and you cannot acquire it-Neena Gupta
9:34 AM
After exploring comedy with Dil Dosti Aur Dogs, veteran actor Neena Gupta has the Vadh sequel, Panchayat’s fourth season, and Anurag Basu’s Metro… In Dino
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 2, 2025)
Neena Gupta feels her life, currently, is a long-running dream. The National Award-winning actor has as many as four diverse stories to tell in the coming months. Not just that, she is also enjoying the precious position of being able to say no to what doesn’t feel right.
“When [good] work comes, I take it up. When it goes to someone else, I feel bad. Now, I am able to say no to projects I don’t enjoy listening to. That makes me very happy. Earlier, I couldn’t because I had to survive,” she smiles. Gupta begins the year with the JioHotstar film, Dil Dosti Aur Dogs, in which the actor plays an emotionally withdrawn woman, who finds an unlikely companion in a furry friend. The actor says she relished entering an unfamiliar territory. “I have never played such a character. It was a big challenge and interesting for me to do,” she says.
Dil Dosti Aur Dogs also offered the actor another opportunity in the comedy space. It’s a genre Gupta has often taken up over her four decade career—from the classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) to her hit OTT outing Panchayat. The actor says comedy is the trickiest genre, which needs the hands of an able director.
“Not everyone is gifted with comic timing and you cannot acquire it. The director has a big role to play in this. If you fall on the wrong note, no one can help you. Long ago, I had replaced an actor on a comedy show. I was told that I had to take it two notes higher that what I was performing on. The pitch of the show was loud. I was so unhappy doing it, but I agreed because that was their style. One has to adapt to various directors. That way, Panchayat is amazing because it is so real that we don’t have to do anything,” says Gupta, who has just finished filming the fourth season of the Prime Video series.
The year will also see the senior actor in director Anurag Basu’s romantic drama, Metro… In Dino, which also stars Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal and Anupam Kher.
Gushing about her maiden collaboration with Basu, she says, “I keep asking him, ‘When are you casting me next?’ Mostly, my segment in the film is with Anupam Kher, but we aren’t playing a couple. We shot in Kolkata and Mumbai. There was so much spontaneity and improvisation on the set. It was great fun as well as a learning,” says Gupta.
She recently finished filming the sequel to her 2022 thriller, Vadh. And now, her eyes set on something more athletic.
“I want to do an action film or a spy thriller. I also want to play a glamorous, cool woman. There was a project in the action space that had come my way. I also had a double role in it but it didn’t work out due to financial reasons. It might work out tomorrow, who knows. I had gotten offered a spy film as well, but that also didn’t materialize. But that’s something I am inclined towards.”
Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar dominate India’s 2024 streaming charts
7:59 AM
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; January 24, 2025)
Prime Video and Netflix topped India’s 15 most-viewed Hindi streaming shows in 2024, while Disney+ Hotstar led in Tamil and Telugu, according to Ormax Media’s ‘Streaming Originals in India - The 2024 Story’ report.
The report emphasized the dominance of platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar, which collectively have an estimated 70 million subscribers. It highlighted the growing role of regional content and franchise-driven formats in shaping India’s streaming landscape.
Netflix and Prime Video each had five entries in the top 15 Hindi streaming shows. Mirzapur Season 3 was the most-watched Hindi series with 30.8 million viewers, followed by Prime Video's Panchayat Season 3 (28.2 million) and Netflix’s Heeramandi (21.5 million). The viewership estimates were based on primary data, according to Ormax.
In the non-fiction OTT category, JioCinema's Bigg Boss OTT Season 3 led with 17.8 million viewers. Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 1 ranked second with 15.7 million viewers, while SonyLIV's Shark Tank India Season 3 secured 12.5 million viewers.
The report also highlights a wide variety of unscripted genres, spanning TV extensions, documentaries, game shows, and reality formats driven by influencers.
Netflix also dominated Hindi direct-to-digital films claiming 11 of the top 15 spots, with Do Patti leading at 15.1 million viewers, followed by Sector 36 (13.9 million) and Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (13.5 million).
“Audiences today seek more choices—across stories, devices—and we’re here to meet that demand,” said Monika Shergill, Netflix India’s vice president, content. “The sheer convenience of streaming with improved accessibility and broadband and CTV market growth is leading to a revolution in how we consume our entertainment. Exceptional storytelling enhanced by quality subtitles and dubbing in several languages is enabling more stories to travel and be consumed by more audiences in India and around the globe."
She further noted, “At Netflix, originals like Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Amar Singh Chamkila, The Great Indian Kapil Show, and blockbuster movie slates in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu have demonstrated how entertainment and experience can together become the key drivers of streaming growth.”
Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video India, stated that Indian audiences are open to good stories regardless of language, format, or genre. He highlighted Prime Video's success in engaging audiences across languages with titles like Mirzapur Season 3, Panchayat Season 3, Inspector Rishi, and global hits like The Boys and The Rings of Power.
"We are in a unique time, a renaissance in Indian entertainment, where all kinds of stories are being told and all genres are being explored on streaming. We will continue to collaborate with the finest creators and storytellers from India and around the world to offer our customers some of the most dynamic, fresh, out-of-the-box stories," he said.
Last year, Netflix and Prime Video unveiled ambitious content slates. Netflix’s 2024 slate included 14 shows and eight films, while Prime Video India announced plans to release 70 series and films over the next two years.
In regional content, Disney+ Hotstar's Save The Tigers Season 2 (5 million viewers) and Prime Video's Inspector Rishi (4.9 million viewers) were the top Telugu and Tamil shows, respectively. Disney+ Hotstar dominated the top 10 lists in both languages, with four Telugu and seven Tamil entries.
Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2 became the most-watched international show of 2024 with 19.6 million viewers, securing its place as India’s all-time leader. Among international films, Prime Video’s Road House led with 6 million viewers.
While the report excluded YouTube Originals, it acknowledged the success of India’s Got Latent on Samay Raina’s YouTube channel, which could have ranked in the top three.
According to Ormax, the report evaluated the top original shows and films released in 2024 in Hindi, International, Telugu, and Tamil across parameters such as viewership, marketing buzz, and content strength. It focused exclusively on original content, excluding theatrical films, catch-up TV, sports, and other non-original streaming content.
I was surprised that Sandhya Suri trusted me for the role in Santosh after Panchayat-Sunita Rajwar
8:21 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; December 20, 2024)
Sandhya Suri’s critically acclaimed crime thriller Santosh, a cop drama about the investigation of a rape and murder case, has been shortlisted for the Oscars’ International Feature Film category. The British Academy has officially selected Santosh as the U.K.’s submission for this prestigious category.
The film stars Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar as police officers. Following its success at Cannes, the Oscar selection marks a dream run for the film, according to its cast.
We caught up with Sunita Rajwar, who has received widespread acclaim for her roles in Gullak and Panchayat.
Did she ever imagine something like this would happen? She explains, "Aapka kya status hai, industry mein aapka kya wajood hai uss hisaab se aap sapne dekhoge na! Aapko bas ye lagta hai kaam milta rahe. Humko toh isse bhi fark nahi padta ki koi pehchan raha hai ya nahi pehchan raha. Aisa lagta tha jo main role kar rahe hain log unhi ko pehchante hain. Hamare sang koi kyun photo khinchayega? Everything changed after Gullak and Panchayat for me." Excerpts -
'First of all, it was a surprise that after watching Panchayat, Sandhya trusted me for this role'
Talking about her role in Santosh, Sunita says,"I have been doing very light-hearted roles - Bittu ki mummy (in Gullak) and Kranti Devi (in Panchayat). People see me in those roles and think I can only do those kinds of roles. First of all, it was a surprise that after watching Panchayat, Sandhya trusted me for this role. And this is very different for me because it’s a serious role. I'm playing the role of a SHO."
She shares that before this, she had only seen SHOs and police thanas in films. She shares, "I had this image that they must be talking to their juniors arrogantly, but after meeting real-life women police officers, I realized they are just like any other person or office worker - visiting the canteen, sitting with tea, chatting with coworkers."
Talking about the brief Sandhya Suri gave her for the role, she says, “The thing she told me was to not at all play loud and not at all try to be what I have been doing. She wanted me to change my body language and speak in lower tones. Sandhya said, ‘I don’t want any smiling either with your eyes or expressions, nothing.This lady will not smile."
'There was no special treatment for anyone on the set of Santosh'
Sunita Rajwar has worked in a number of TV serials, films and web series, and now this foreign project. So how was the shoot different compared to her experience on the sets of Indian productions?
She says, "Kaam to same hi hota hai. Itna bada toh socha hi nahi tha ki aisa koi project bhi milega. When we were shooting for Santosh, it was so normal. Our team was all from other countries, mostly France and British. But they are a little more disciplined. Shahana was doing the main role, and I was doing the secondary part. Shahana is also very down-to-earth. Jo star wala ek feel hota hai set pe - jo hierarchy hoti hai ki star ke aane ke hisaab se shoot hota hai, unka shoot pehle ho raha hai aur aapka baad mein - woh saari cheez nahi hoti thi. There was no special treatment for anyone. It was very schedule-oriented that we will do this scene and that scene after this. There were no demands on set as such, even from the cameraman and the director. It used to start and end on time. They work very properly, do set-up quickly, gappe maarne mein nahi baithe rehte hain. Kisi ko please karna nahi hota hai."
She adds, "Now I wish that I get more such projects, more characters, thoda respect mile aur achha kaam mile. Aisa lagta hai - ab to achha kaam de do. Though, at this age, after seeing life, I'm not getting carried away by anything. Life is very unpredictable. Aisi film hazaron mein ek banti hai aur aisi film ka aap hissa ho zaroori nahi hai."
'Kabhi main kisi ka award dekhti thi aur unke aankhon mein aansu aate thay, mujhe lagta tha pata nahi kaise hota hai. Then it happened with me at Cannes'
The movie recently won Best Screenplay and Best Breakthrough Producer at the BIFAs after making its global premiere in Un Certain Regard at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
She shares, "Cannes was weird because even in my dreams, I never ever thought this would happen. When I became an actor, I only wanted to do theatre. I never had any big dreams - making it big or doing films. Mere liye rozi-roti ka kaam tha, so everything life is giving me - it is surprising me. Even getting film selected for the Un Certain Regard at Cannes was a big thing for me. Ek hota hai na ki aapko pata hi nahi ki ye kitni badi baat hai, for me, it was like that."
She recalls, "Kabhi main kisi ka award dekhti thi aur unke aankhon mein aansu aate thay, mujhe lagta tha pata nahi kaise hota hai. At Cannes, after the screening, when we got a standing ovation for 5-6 minutes, taaliyan band hi nahi ho rahi thi. I was no one for them, and still, they were appreciating my work and the character we had created. I had tears in my eyes - I'm getting so much love and admiration for my work. I never ever thought of this. Ye toh sapnon mein bhi nahi sochte ho. And now, this Oscars shortlist - it is beyond my dreams. Kahan kaise likha hai mere naseeb mein, I’m so shocked. There are goosebumps - I'm this close to the Oscars."
Industry insiders tell us how much leading actors on OTT are paid
8:31 AM
No, Panchayat stars Neena Gupta and Jitendra Kumar weren’t paid Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 70,000 per episode for the show. Industry insiders tell us how much leading actors on OTT can actually make
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 6, 2024)
Recently, several media reports claimed that actor Jitendra Kumar, widely known as Sachiv Ji on the hit web series Panchayat, is paid a mere Rs. 70,000 per episode. To top that, reports claimed that his co-star, the remuneration of the much senior Neena Gupta, who played Manju Devi, was just Rs. 50,000.
But when we reached out to Kumar and Gupta, both refuted the information. Indicating that the reports couldn’t be further from the truth, trade analyst Taran Adarsh tells us that the earnings for popular OTT stars are “much higher” than the range rumoured for the Panchayat actors. A source suggests that Kumar was paid Rs. 1.5cr- Rs. 2cr for the show.
It is natural to wonder if OTT could be on par with theatrical films when it comes to fat paycheques for stars. “I won’t be able to comment about Jitendra’s remuneration, but stars who are popular on OTT, charge a massive amount, sometimes it can go up to crores,” says Adarsh, adding that a lot depends on producers’ willingness to invest in talent.
Trade analyst Atul Mohan concurs, “These are actors who are loved by the audiences. Seeing the scale [of their popularity], [their remuneration is ] almost at par with leading actors who appear in big-screen films.”
REMUNERATION GOES UP IF THE SHOW TAKES OFF
An industry insider shares that when a talent is locked for a series, the actor is signed on for the following seasons as well. “It is believed that in a standard contract, every actor is expected to get an average of 5% to 10% increase for the next season. This, however, is subject to show’s popularity,” adds the insider.
Building on the above point about how a show’s popularity and actors’ remuneration go hand-in-hand, Mohan notes that successful stars like Kumar, who are pivotal to shows like Panchayat, witness substantial increase in pay as their importance and impact grows across seasons.
“It’s different with every season, as and when popularity increases. Good actors, who have a strong following, can demand a hefty amount. Jitendra is the face of Panchayat. From the first season to the third one now, he has had the maximum impact,” Mohan explains.
Directors are confused and desperate for good music. But they don’t know how to introduce it in their film-Lalit Pandit
8:13 AM
Lalit Pandit brings the flavour of ’90s music to the third edition of the revered web show Panchayat with a track that features African percussion rhythms
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; June 2, 2024)
The third edition of the web series, Panchayat, which released on May 28, offered a throwback to ’90s music with Thame Dil Ko, a Lalit Pandit-composition that was rendered by Abhijeet Bhattacharya.
“The team wanted a melodious song along the lines of the numbers that I have created over the years in films like Yes Boss [1997]. They wanted a song that was reminiscent of the melodies of the ’90s, but one that had a boost of energy. It needed to be rhythmic and have [happy] notes,” says Pandit of the track in the Jitendra Kumar and Neena Gupta starrer.
Well aware that Bhattacharya excels at rendering the kind of number he was set to create, Pandit compelled the singer to break his “Bollywood hiatus” and return to the mic.
“We were happy to be working together again. He always takes my projects seriously and rehearses before coming into the studio. He has the baritone that is needed for this genre. He was worried, and told me that he hadn’t sung in a long time. But I encouraged him to join me.”
Alok Ranjha Jha’s lyrics, says Pandit, enabled him to create a composition that he was certain would appeal to listeners. In a bid to replicate the sonic quality of the ’90s, Pandit says the “programming and instrumentation” aligned with the flavour of the era.
“It has modern beats with a hint of African percussion rhythms. After a very long time, I used an instrument called the tumba, which creates a warm and rhythmic [melody]. While using percussion instruments, one can include nuances seamlessly, and that is something that a computer program cannot do, unless it is designed intricately. There are [segments] of the violin that I have used too, and they blend into the rest of the song beautifully. Because this was one man’s vision, the clarity of thought is evident,” he says, adding that a composer’s ability to create a song that the audience can sing along to is a winning quality.
Musicians of this day and age, he believes, are creating “very complicated tunes”. “More attention is paid to the production of the song than the composition and writing. That is why, today, the soundtrack of a film has only one or two songs that eventually become popular. The rest of the album doesn’t work. When Jatin and I were working together, the entire soundtrack of films like Fanaa [2006], Chalte Chalte [2003], and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge [1995] became popular. The [desire to] create that kind of rich music is missing.”
Reiterating the popular notion that in Bollywood, “music makes the film and the artiste memorable in the long run”, Pandit asserts that artistic rights should remain in the hands of creative individuals.
“I blame the directors. They are confused and desperate for good music. But they don’t know how to introduce that into their film. They end up refusing good songs. If they feel a composer [hasn’t worked hard to create a complex number], they reject it. Then, a music director needs to start thinking from the film director’s point of view, and it is the latter’s choice that is given preference. This must change.”
You can’t rush with a script driven show like Panchayat, because that would affect the quality-Jitendra Kumar
7:41 AM
Jitendra Kumar discusses the trajectory of his character in the third season of the social comedy, Panchayat and how he reconnected with the show
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; May 26, 2024)
About four years ago, when people were still coming to terms with the pandemic-induced lockdown, Panchayat came as a breath of fresh air for audiences restricted to their homes. As the third edition is set to drop on Amazon Prime Video soon, lead actor Jitendra Kumar says the novelty factor of The Viral Fever produced show made it a success.
He explains, “The audience had not seen such a narrative in a long time. Earlier, directors and creators would make shows set in rural India. So, Panchayat brings nostalgia. With other genres, you prefer to watch when you’re alone, but Panchayat could be seen with families.”
This time around, his character, Abhishek Tripathi, gram panchayat secretary, aka Sachiv Ji, is back in the Phulera village. “After his return, the character only wants to do his work. But he gets into solving the problems of the village, so it is in a similar space,” says Kumar about the new season that also sees a new party enter the gram panchayat political space.
Even though he is essaying the character Tripathi for the third edition, Kumar shares that it requires a certain prep. He elaborates, “Before starting the new season, I revisit the previous edition and go through my favourite episodes. Of course, we also have readings and workshops before we begin shooting. We can’t perform too differently; that would make it a completely new character.”
Is the fourth season in the offing too? Kumar says that it all depends on the script. “It takes about eight months to write eight episodes, discuss with the team, incorporate changes, and lock in the final screenplay. Since there are so many actors, their dates need to be coordinated. You can’t rush with a script-driven show like Panchayat, because that would affect the quality,” he signs off.
If you are dusky, you are offered characters who belong to lower middle class background-Sanvikaa
10:30 AM
Panchayat actor Sanvikaa on being stereotyped due to complexion
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 22, 2024)
A look at the repertoire of several female actors in Bollywood will make it seem that an industry once obsessed with fair-skinned women has taken strides to amend its ways. But, actor Sanvikaa, set to return with the third season of the comedy series, Panchayat, tells us the change is coming about at a pace that’s slower than we’d appreciate.
“The roles I get are similar to the ones I have played. Perhaps, that’s due to my dusky complexion. In the industry, if you are dusky, you are offered characters who belong to the middle-class or lower-middle-class background. This stereotyping existed earlier, and continued to exist even after the release of Panchayat,” says the actor, who plays Rinki, the daughter of the village pradhan in the Prime Video series.
She, however, adds that she is no longer perturbed by the practice. “I think I look beautiful the way I am. The audience connects with me. Their love has made me comfortable in my skin.”
The unassuming show, which released soon after the lockdown was imposed in 2020, quickly found favour among the audience. Its success led to the making of a subsequent season in 2022. Part three is up for release this week. Having collaborated with cast members Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav over the years, Sanvikaa says she has forged a bond that extends beyond professional boundaries. Working with Gupta has been of particular interest.
“If the director wants her to say a dialogue in a different way, she is able to swiftly switch her delivery to meet the requirement. I learned different ways to modulate and express the same dialogue from her.”
OTT space is like a bazaar now; original OTT audience was very different-Nawazuddin Siddiqui
8:28 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; December 17, 2023)
It’s been five years since Nawazuddin Siddiqui made his digital debut with Sacred Games. The OTT space has evolved considerably since. In conversation with us, the actor points out the pros and the cons of this change. He shares, “Things have evolved, yes. Shuruwat jo hai woh bahut honesty ke saath hoti hai, and later it just becomes a commodity… uska ek dhanda ban jata hai. And this happens in every industry, not just showbiz.”
‘When you are starting off there’s a certain honesty’
Talking about how the change in the outlook towards the medium affects the content that’s created for it, he says, “It leads to downgrading of the quality of all the departments because it becomes a race…bas jald se jald banado aur logon ko dikha do. Likewise, when you are starting off there’s an honesty, but later, that fades away too.”
Having said that, he shares that there are a few shows that definitely caught his attention. “I have seen Panchayat and Scam 1992. And I saw it not because of its marketing or PR buzz, but because common people were talking about it and that generated my interest,” he says.
‘Content matters the most on OTT’
Ask the actor if OTT, like Bollywood, has become star-driven too, and he says, “Ab ho gaya hai waise, pehle nahi tha. I feel that doesn’t matter to the OTT audience though; what matters to them is the content. Over a period of time stars ne bhi behti Ganga mein apne haath dhone ki koshish karli. But as far as I know, the original OTT audience was very different.”
‘OTT is TV plus, which means TV se thoda behetar’
Nawaz, who has been a part of OTT films like Serious Men, Haddi and Tiku Weds Sheru, feels that there’s a certain kind of fatigue when it comes to consuming OTT content now. “I do feel the audience is now tired. There are many actors who come and tell me that they have done so and so web show, but I haven’t even heard the names. Due to this abundance, humein pata hi nahi chal raha ki kitne series ban rahe hai aur release ho rahe hai.”
So, is it time makers introspect? “No, no... why should they do that? See, directors and actors are waiting for opportunities. The medium has plenty of work for all. We wait ki koi hamare paas kuch interesting project leke aaye, but there’s this rush ki we need to finish the shoot as fast as we can and drop the show online. I like what my friend actor-writer Hussain Dalal once told me ki OTT is TV plus, which means TV se thoda behetar.”
Though I got recognition after Panchayat, I didn’t get a place to stay-Chandan Roy
8:39 AM
It took multiple auditions, two stints in Mumbai and one popular web series for the city to accept Chandan Roy. But now that he is here, he is raring to go
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; July 28, 2023)
It could be a scene right out of a ’70s Hindi movie. A wide-eyed, hopeful man alights from the train at Bandra Terminus, and on the pretext of picking up his dropped handkerchief, touches his forehead to the ground. His “pranaam” to the land that he hopes will take care of him now. That’s a tad filmi, we tell Chandan Roy. But he proudly says, “My haav-bhaav is all filmi.”
To him, he is that filmi boy who made his way from Mahnar, Bihar to Mumbai to chase the Bollywood dream. To the rest of us, he is the good-natured assistant Vikas Shukla in his breakthrough series, Panchayat.
After completing his education in Patna and working at Dainik Jagran in Delhi for two-and-a-half years, Roy first arrived in Mumbai in October 2017. What followed is the classic script of a struggling actor—sharing his first accommodation with five people in Versova, giving countless auditions, seeing his savings of Rs. 60,000 diminish over four months. Within weeks of his stay, he noticed a shift in him.
“Whoever comes to Mumbai, becomes a believer. Someone told me that whenever new people come to the city, they visit the Mumba Devi temple in Bhuleshwar. So, after about a month, I went to seek the Devi’s blessings.”
His prayers were soon answered. In January 2018, the actor landed his first role, the leading lady’s brother in a show on Baba Ramdev. In November 2018, the actor auditioned for a web series. He was told the makers were casting for two small roles.
“After two-three weeks, I got a call telling me that my audition was liked, and they wanted to test me for a bigger role. So I auditioned again. The following day, I was called for a meeting at the TVF office. There, Deepak Kumar Mishra [Panchayat director] said, ‘Where were you? We’ve been looking for you all this while.’ I thought he was asking where I lived, so I told him I was staying in Versova. He was amused by that.”
And just like that, Roy shot for Panchayat, playing leading man Jitendra Kumar’s assistant. The struggle was over. The proverbial big break was here. Or so he thought.
In March 2020, the pandemic struck and nationwide lockdown was enforced. “At the time, we were all hearing the rising number of deaths. So, I thought it would be better to return home. That way, if something happened to me, at least my family would be around me,” he recalls. Roy returned home the way he had come, an aspiring actor who had no roles, only dreams to speak of.
But something changed the very next month. Panchayat dropped on Amazon Prime Video, and overnight, Roy became a household name.
This was his big moment. Many calls—congratulatory and of offers—followed, as did months of waiting due to the lockdown. It was only in December 2020 that Roy, after borrowing Rs. 15,000 from his family, returned to the Maximum City.
This time around, he was a rising star. But Mumbai wasn’t going to roll out the red carpet for him. “A friend, who let me stay with him in Andheri, asked me to move out after a few days, fearing that his landlord would oust him. Though I got some recognition after Panchayat, I didn’t have a place to stay in Mumbai.”
Luckily, he bagged a film, Hanak (2021), to be shot in Bhopal for a month. “I didn’t care how much I got paid. My only thought was that my accommodation and meals for the month were sorted.”
The actor has since gone on to star in the second season of Panchayat, Hostel Daze 2, Pitchers 2 and the Manoj Bajpayee-led film, Gulmohar. In the past two years, he has shifted multiple houses, but has found his footing in this city that continues to astound him with its “energy”. Earlier this year, he even ticked that one box that is considered an elusive Mumbai dream— of having a place of his own.
“Itne saal jiske sapne dekhe, aakhir wahan pahuch hi gaya,” says Roy, who currently rents an apartment in Lokhandwala, Andheri. “If anything magical happens, it happens in Mumbai. There is still a lot more to do and achieve.”
It will all happen, he is sure, in the dream factory that is Mumbai. Now that he has been around for almost three years, what does he like the most about the city? “The monsoon,” he says promptly. Umm, the average Mumbaiite would disagree, hating how the rains bring life to a standstill. But the artiste in him chooses romanticisation over reality.
“If I were a kid, I’d go out to get wet in the rain. Now, I enjoy the rain indoors. The greenery all around is a beautiful sight, the smell of wet earth [calms me]. I love Mumbai rains. In Bihar, if it rained for a week like it does here, life would become impossible.”
If he is gung-ho about Mumbai rains, he is disheartened by its food scene. Vada pav and samosa pav don’t cut it for the lover of chana sattu.
“The only place I love to eat at is a restaurant called Pancham Puriwala, near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. I love their thaali with puris.” Surely, he must be a fan of the city’s famous chaats? “I think pani puri in Bihar is better than that of Delhi or Mumbai,” he grins.
But Roy isn’t complaining. He has his blinkers on, and will keep pace with this city, step for step. He has an end goal to meet—to own a house in Mumbai, a sign of permanence in the fickle city. “There is a wonderful apartment complex in Madh Island. If you go 20 floors and above, you can see the sea all around. I’d love to have a home there.”
Mumbai meri jaan?
Love about Mumbai
That it is a magical city. For people like us, it has changed our lives. I can see my dreams being fulfilled here. If you work hard, then anything is possible.
Hate about Mumbai
The traffic, because you don’t know how long you will be delayed and you get even more restless.
Expectations from Mumbai
I hope it continues to accept me, and bless me with more work.
Did Mumbai live up to it?
Much better than I had imagined, and soon. As one grows, the struggle becomes harder. Love it, and the city owns you and loves you back. Once you live here, you don’t feel like living anywhere else.
Will it remain forever home?
Yes. As long as I am young and can work. However, when I grow old, I’d prefer the mountains.
Shefali Shah, Rajkummar Rao, Ishwak Singh react as they win the 4th Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards
8:32 AM
As edition four of the Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards culminates, winners Shefali Shah, and Rajkummar Rao, among others, talk about how they craft their roles with intricacy to appease an evolved audience
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; March 18, 2023)
The resumption of theatrical releases in the aftermath of the lockdown was expected to have spelt the death knell of streaming platforms, which saw unprecedented success during the pandemic. Exposing the fallacy of such notions, OTT releases — with their superlative content — continued to find favour among the masses in 2022, with fans now finding themselves drawn to their favourite web show characters.
Projects like Mukhbir - The Story of a Spy, CAT, and Monica O My Darling reaffirmed the place of thrillers in the digital space, while with shows like Rocket Boys, fans found reasons to celebrate the works of Indian scientists. If Abhishek Tripathi’s mundane life as the panchayat secretary of a small village was still interesting enough for fans of Panchayat 2 to consume, Shefali Shah’s act as the tough cop in Delhi Crime 2 had families come together for some late-night binge-watching.
Evidently then, when the Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards returned with its fourth edition this year, web-watchers shared their love for their favourite films, stars and shows by voting in abundance. The late Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla’s drama, Sharmaji Namkeen emerged to be the Best Direct-to-Web Film, while Lock Upp winner Munawar Faruqui won the Best Internet Sensation title. Chawla defeated the young guns to win the Best Supporting Actor (Film) title, and Shah took home two titles for Best Actor Series (Delhi Crime S02) and Best Actor Film (Jalsa).
“My character in Delhi Crime 2 is one of the most challenging ones, and yet the most rewarding too. Vartika became unprecedented after season one, so, though I was familiar with her, I was terrified to play her again, since there were big shoes to fill. The expectations were higher. I wanted to ensure that regardless of the case, she comes across as equally dedicated, driven, focused and unmovable when it comes to her duty. Yet the aspects that make her human should not be hidden.”
Talking about the film, Jalsa, Shah says, “Ruksana is fiercely protective of her kids, which I identify with, and hence, I could justify the things she does. There is an unpredictability to the character, but, she thinks from her heart, like a mother would.”
Rajkummar Rao, who took home the title of Best Actor for Monica O My Darling, was celebrated for the portrayal of Jayant Arkhedkar, who suffers the consequences of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Rao says of his win, “To be honest in the situation without intentionally trying to create [humour] was a big challenge, because, as an actor, you become greedy. You begin to think that there is this playground and [there is room to] make things funnier. But, I had to find that right balance in my performance to serve the genre. It needed to be a controlled performance and I had a great time following Vasan’s [Bala] vision. He is an exceptional filmmaker. It’s a layered script, but the way Vasan made the film made me so proud of him. I can’t wait to associate with him again.”
TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, whose offering Panchayat 2 won in the Best Creator/Showrunner category and also in the Best New Season segment, said, “I have been following the Radio City and mid-day Hitlist OTT Awards from the first season and would wonder when we would win. With your faith and trust, we will keep telling better stories.”
Taking home the title for Best Actor (Series), Rocket Boys actor Ishwak Singh reflects on his portrayal of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, and says, “I learnt so much as an actor and about filmmaking.”
The award goes to...
Best New Series: Mukhbir - The Story Of A Spy (ZEE5)
Best New Season: Panchayat S02 (Amazon Prime Video)
Best Adaptation (Book/Series): Mukhbir - The Story Of A Spy (ZEE5)
Best Direct-to-Web Film: Sharmaji Namkeen (Amazon Prime Video)
Best Actor (Male) Series: Ishwak Singh (Rocket Boys, Sony LIV)
Best Actor (Female) Series: Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime S02, Netflix)
Best Supporting Actor (Male) Series: Suvinder Vicky (CAT, Netflix)
Best Supporting Actor (Female) Series: Tillotama Shome (Delhi Crime S02, Netflix)
Best Actor (Male) Film: Rajkummar Rao (Monica O My Darling, Netflix)
Best Actor (Female) Film: Shefali Shah (Jalsa, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Supporting Actor (Male) Film: Gajraj Rao (Maja Ma, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Supporting Actor (Female) Film: Juhi Chawla (Sharmaji Namkeen, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Ensemble Cast (Series): Shantanu Shrikant Bhake (Pitchers S02, ZEE5)
Best Non-Fiction: Indian Predator: Murder In A Courtroom (Netflix)
Best Creator/Showrunner: TVF (Panchayat S02, Amazon Prime Video)
Top Internet Sensation: Munawar Faruqui (Lock Upp winner)
If actor’s fee is more than the budget of the show, then something is wrong-Sumeet Vyas
8:32 AM
Actor Sumeet Vyas has been part of the Indian web space since the very starting, having seen its growth as well as the changes that have come with the mo
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 9, 2023)
Actor Sumeet Vyas has been part of the OTT world since its inception and has seen its growth as well as the changes over the years. While the actor agrees that makers at times cast popular faces for the shows for various reasons, he feels that there is nothing wrong in doing so.
He explains, “I do not feel there is anything wrong in casting a film actor, if he is right for the part. But, if his acting fees is more than the entire budget of the show, then there is something wrong. There is a certain budget for the salaries of the entire unit, for the shoot to happen and if twice that number is being paid to one actor, then that’s not right. I do not think any actor brings that much value to any project. It’s the balance that we need to learn.”
Emphasising on his point, Vyas gives example of the shows that have done well in the digital sphere, which do not feature well-established film stars.
“Pataal Lok (2020), Mirzapur (2018), Rocket Boys (2022), Pitchers (2015), Permanent Roommates (2014), Panchayat (2020) and many more. These are all those shows that did not have stars and still they were superhit. In fact, shows which had bigger stars in them and ridiculous money spent did not do well.”
He adds, “Sacred Games (2018) would be exception where they had two stars (Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and it performed nicely. My point is, nine out of the ten shows that did well, were the ones with actors you did not think were stars. They were just good actors who suited the part.”
Ask if biases are even more apparent when stars are cast for big projects, Vyas agrees but explains that it happens because of the commerce.
“As producers and networks, what they want to do is try and get a popular face so that they are at least covered on those grounds,” he signs off.
I really like the idea of playing a villain... something like a Shah Rukh Khan in Darr-Aahana Kumra
8:42 AM
Aahana S Kumra feels blessed to be a part of the OTT boom where relatable yet varied scripts are the norm
Naina Arora (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 16, 2022)
For actor Aahana S Kumra, the most exciting aspect of OTT is that one never knows what would be “offered next” to them. “The web is an exciting space for us. You can reimagine and invent yourself,” she tells us.
And this is something that is rare for female actors, she feels. “It (the variety of roles being written) is absolutely refreshing for a female actor. For men, there are so many different roles/parts written, and women get typecast. Everyone stereotypes you so much that even you start believing ki hum issi type ke roles hi kar sakte hai bas. But sometimes you get pleasantly surprised, and they (makers) give you a role that you wouldn’t have ever imagined yourself in,” says Kumra.
The actor, who has been a part of a variety of web shows such as Marzi, Official CEOgiri, Sandwiched Forever and Betaal, recently portrayed a grey character in Avrodh 2. Talking about the experience, she says she had never imagined being cast in a negative role, and is overwhelmed by the positive response she has received for it. “I really like the idea of playing a villain... something like a SRK (actor Shah Rukh Khan) in Darr (1993). Samar Khan, my producer, imagined it for me. It’s amazing. It has opened up a new space for me,” she says.
Further opining what makes OTT such a hit with viewers, Kumra says relatable stories and characters on the medium do the trick. “There are so many times I am watching a show, and I think, ‘Oh this happened [with me]’. Shows like Panchayat and Gullak are some of my favourites. The earnestness in the character, performances and writing was very relatable in Panchayat. And, since I am from a middle class [family] in Uttar Pradesh, I could identify with the characters in Gullak. I feel relatability with a character is very integral,” she says, adding that larger-than-life stories only work on the big screen.
Does that mean she prefers working only on the digital medium and not on the big screen? She shares, “I am very happy to work in a big film if it’s offered to me because it opens avenues for you as it generates employment, and you’re seen a lot more. But I also feel on OTT, even the smallest shows gets picked up because of word of mouth.”
As many A-listers such as Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit Nene also venture into the OTT space, Kumra opines it’s happening because “they are being offered the kind of work they want to do”. She elaborates, “In films, they are stuck with a certain type of a role. They also want to play characters which are relatable. For instance, in The Family Man, (actor) Manoj Bajpayee’s character became so relatable because he has the same problem any middle class man — being a father to rebellious kids and struggling to balance his work and his wife’s expectations. People saw the relatability in the story.”
Every plus has its own minus, says Sudha Chandran on the OTT boom
8:24 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 8, 2022)
With so many platforms churning a plethora of content, more avenues have opened up for those in the industry. However, some actors feel this advantage is marred when they are categorised by the medium they are a part of. “I don’t think that actors have to be categorized as OTT actors, Bollywood actors or television actors, because we all are simply actors. I started with films but that doesn’t mean I should be categorized as a Bollywood actor who went to television and became a TV actor. All actors are performers, irrespective of the platform,” says actor-dancer Sudha Chandran, known for TV shows such as Kaahin Kissii Roz, Crime Alert, among others.
With the OTT boom, other mediums have upped their game, too. And though Chandran appreciates the digital medium and the entertainment it has to offer, she feels the content might be a tad excessive.
She explains, “The OTT boom is fantastic as the content being churned out these days is unlike what we have seen in the past. But, at the same time, I feel every plus has its own minus. Like [on OTT], there are certain concepts or content which are a bit too bold and also stuff that maybe we don’t need to get into right now. It’s my personal opinion.”
The actor adds that she appreciates web shows like Panchayat and The Family Man which have “interesting and nice concepts”. “Subjects that could have not been tried in films are appearing on OTT and the audience is watching and loving it. I think the time has come for us to experiment on both the small and big screen,” she ends.
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