With the theatre culture suffering a blowback, given the pandemic, it has been a time for OTT and television to shine. At the SheThePeople Screen Fest, we spoke to Anchal Singh, Vidhi Pandya, Gauahar Khan, all known faces turning the tide with new content.
As patterns of audience viewing and interests change, we ask: what is it that the small screen is bringing to the table? Refreshing stories? Empowering roles for women? Bigger opportunity for artists? Norm-breaking narratives?
Anchal Singh recently appeared on Netflix's Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein ( YKKA) as Purva, an intense character. On the other hand, Vidhi Pandya is an Indian television actor, best known for her role as Imli Rajvanshi in Colors TV's social drama Udaan. She appeared on the popular reality show Bigg Boss 15 in 2021.
Gauahar Khan began her career as a model in 2002, competing in the Femina Miss India pageant, and has since earned a name for herself in the Hindi cinema business with films such as Game (2011), Ishaqzaade (2012), Fever (2016), Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017), and Begum Jaan (2017). Khan made her OTT debut with Tandav in 2021, and she will next be seen in Bestseller.
OTT: The Powerful Medium
When asked what is it that makes OTT and the small screen such an important and powerful medium, Gauahar Khan said that there are numerous possibilities on OTT. It has extended the arena for all of us, not just actors, but for all kinds of fields involved in the production, and now a lot of individuals have an organic opportunity to display what they have in them. She says, " I think it is going in the right direction."
According to Pandya, People are now used to good content, whether on TV or via OTT, and makers are aware of this, and they have stepped up their game to provide good content. " In today's world, television has a lot of potential; all it takes is good content," says Pandya.
Women Playing Grey Characters:
When asked if they think OTT is giving women the opportunity to play more layered characters? Gauahar Khan says, "I think it is interesting to watch. From the time Kajol played something negative in Gupt, to now a woman on the OTT platform, playing even more grey shades is interesting to watch. I think it gives a position of power to women, and I like it. I like to watch it."
According to Anchal Singh, "Things are really changing because there are so many opportunities to showcase the lives of different people and their emotions, so now women cannot be ignored for sure, and it's not about showing the dark side of women or to show or to just make them seem like the bubbly and nice girl. There is so much to a woman like any other man."
She also added, "As an audience, we love it, and as actors, it is liberating to play something like that. We don't want to be defined by boundaries."
Suggested Reading: Screen Fest: OTT Platforms A Mirror to Our Realities say Renuka Shahane, Maanvi Gagroo
Does Reality TV Promote Gender Stereotype:
On being asked if they believe mainstream reality shows grow their numbers by preying on the sexist and sensibilities of our audiences? Pandya says," Besides Indian television, People who are judging should change their minds, in my opinion."
On the other hand, Khan says, "It's very easy for us to say that this is not acceptable or that it's not really in the right space. Reality television is about peeping into other people's lives and watching for entertainment. As an example, if you're referring to "Bigg Boss" or another similar show, you sign up for it. I think how you conduct yourself is completely up to a woman or a man, so if you choose to be in a nasty fashion, then the choice is yours and I wouldn't blame the makers at all.'
For me, Purva was a positive character
Anchal shares her experience with YKKA and Purva. For instance, she is actually a positive character. She just has shades of grey, is youthful, and is a very sincere, honest, and sincere person. She doesn't lie, accepts her flaws, and gets a bit aggressive towards love because of power. "When I go for auditions, they just state that one is a positive character or that one is a negative character, and I don't think like that. For me, Purva was a positive character, though it has layers, and every character has layers to it, so I think it needs to be changed." she says.
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