'Only quality content will survive' Say Actors And Show Makers

It will be a clear case of survival of the fittest as an increasing number of web series and short films release on digital platforms that are gaining a steady audience, giving tough competition to traditional entertainment platforms like television and cinema, say actors and show makers.

Whether it is renowned actors like Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Emraan Hashmi, Pankaj Tripathi and R. Madhavan or youngsters like Akshara Haasan, Shiv Pandit and Swara Bhaskar — many actors are taking the plunge into the OTT world.

But as big production banners are venturing into the platform with a vengeance, is the space hitting a saturation point already?

Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Studios, told IANS: "I see no such situation occurring in the near future because we have just started the journey of OTT platform entertainment and video-on-demand services.

"In the business of entertainment, venturing into digital content is one of the ways to stay relevant and connecting to a budding consumer as that market is building slowly."

"I do not think that the situation of dearth of idea also can happen. The audience is open to new ideas."

Raising some questions, Andhare said: "Who would have thought of making a film on toilet issues? A relatable, daily life story... Who would have thought that the audience will celebrate the story of a blind man witnessing a murder? Again, it is the audience that has received such content.

"I do not think that manufacturing ideas can go to saturation point because we can offer a new element every time... That could be a new story concept, a new treatment in the storytelling, new talent or performance. I believe a storyteller always has something new to offer."

Actor Niteesh Wadhwa, who features in short film "Trip!", said: "The story of our film is very simple. It revolves around two friends who smoke up marijuana and after that, they go on a food trip. A twist comes in the climax of the story. Now the fact is, we would have not made the short film if not for the digital platform, because in India, marijuana is banned." (IANS)

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