OTT platforms have been overflowing with extraordinary talent. One of the actors who appeared on OTT platforms and has made fans across India at an unprecedented pace is Nawazuddin Siddiqui. But the scenario is changing. Now, the so-called stars are appearing on OTT to claim big money and the art has become a mere business for them. Following the decline in the quality of the content, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui recently announced his exit from the OTT.
Dumping Ground for Redundant Shows’: Nawazuddin Quits OTT
Recently, Nawazuddin asserted that he has called off digital platforms. While interacting with media he expressed his resentment to inform that OTT platforms have become ‘dhanda’ (racket) for big production houses.
He stated, “The platforms have become a dumping ground for redundant shows. We either have shows that don’t deserve to be seen or sequels that have nothing more to say.”
He also informed that the unlimited shows being created has killed the quality. “It’s become a dhanda (racket) for big production houses and actors who are now so-called stars on the OTT platform. Major film producers in Bollywood have cut lucrative deals with all the big players in the OTT field. Producers get huge amounts to create unlimited content. Quantity has killed quality.”
Well, he did not stop here. Revealing the bitter truth of OTT platforms, he noted that “When I did Sacred Games for Netflix, the digital medium came with an excitement and challenge. At that time, new talent was given an opportunity. Unfortunately, that freshness is gone.”
Hinting towards nepotism and star system in OTT platforms, he said, “The star system killed the big screen. Nowadays, we have so-called stars on OTT claiming big money and throwing tantrums like A-listers. They forget that content is king. Before the lockdown and digital boom, A-listers would release their films in 3,000 theatres across the country. People had no choice but to see them. Now they have unlimited choices”.
OTT born talent
What is admirable about the OTT stars is that they all are impressing the audiences with their performances, and all of them have humble beginnings. Hardly any of the actors taking lead roles in OTT series and films have a star-family connection. They are all ordinary people, who made it big only because of their talent and hard work.
From Jaideep Ahlawat to Pratik Gandhi and Kirti Kulhari to Rasika Duggal, OTT has given rise to incomparable talent.
Bollywood and Nepotism
Nobody needs to struggle the life out of themselves to make it big in any professional line. However, Bollywood grew infamous for the same. It has maintained a stranglehold over the professional careers of actors who deserved much more than what they received from the Mumbai-centred film industry. Actors from small towns and villages, without any blood relations with the high and mighty hegemons of Bollywood hardly cut in Mumbai. Even if they did, their careers were more gruelling than they should have been.
While ordinary yet brilliant actors struggled to make a living, influential, powerful, well-connected star kids were given whatever roles they desired on a silver platter, despite the mediocrity of their acting. Ananya Pandey in ‘Student of the year 2’, Varun Dhawan in ‘Coolie No. 1’ and Sara Ali Khan are recent examples of nepotism products.
However, the so-called stars who are responsible for the horrible destruction of big screens are now after OTT to ruin the content on the platform. But the audience has grown smarter with time and will not adjust to the low-quality content. It is high time for Bollywood as well as OTT platforms to realize that content is the real king and not the so-called stars.