Home UncategorizedEntertainment Bollywood Actors, from Suniel Shetty to Bobby Deol, Find Reinvention through OTT Platforms

Bollywood Actors, from Suniel Shetty to Bobby Deol, Find Reinvention through OTT Platforms

Exploring New Avenues: Bollywood Actors Revamp Careers and Expand Horizons with OTT Platforms

by THE GULF TALK
Bollywood Actors, from Suniel Shetty to Bobby Deol, Find Reinvention through OTT Platforms

In a recent announcement by JIO studios, a content slate of 100 new films and TV shows was unveiled. While notable theatrical releases like Shahrukh Khan’s Dunki grabbed attention, it was the revelation of a fascinating trend that caught the eye. Many Bollywood stars, once ignored or considered “has-beens,” are now taking on leading roles in the world of OTT. Actors such as Arshad Warsi, Nana Patekar, Arvind Swami, Zayed Khan, Raveena Tandon, Sonam Kapoor, Genelia D’Souza, Vaani Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, and Shakti Kapoor, who were largely forgotten due to diminished saleability, age, or the emergence of new stars, are now experiencing a resurgence.

Creatively, OTT has breathed new life into these “has-beens.” Their talent is not being undermined; rather, they are being relaunched with added grandeur. They are now offered fabulous roles, their comebacks are announced with a bang, and their interviews are making headlines. Audiences are thrilled to witness the likes of Sharmila Tagore alongside Manoj Bajpai, Suniel Shetty in a leading role showcasing his best, Sushmita Sen delivering a solid punch, or Bobby Deol reinventing himself and surprising everyone with his intensity. The return of veteran actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Amol Palekar in author-backed roles has provided remarkable experiences in recent years.

Suniel Shetty, speaking openly about the dejection he faced after his films started to flop and acting offers dwindled, found a new opening with web series. He expressed his surprise at being cast in significant roles, allowing him to play characters that suit his age without the pressure of the box office. Manoj Bajpayee’s success on various OTT platforms with multiple films and web series, such as the acclaimed Family Man, Bhonsle, and Gulmohar, stands as a prime example of achieving success on par with his big screen career.

According to a leading casting director in Bombay, the main reason for this trend is the recall value and emotional connection these past stars have with generations of viewers. Their presence brings instant recognizability to new projects without the expectation of a blockbuster opening weekend. Moreover, actors are embracing leading roles that they would not have had the chance to get in Bollywood movies. Even Sanjay Kapoor has become an OTT darling, working on more than ten projects for various platforms. The allure of substantial remuneration and exposure has prompted many reigning stars to explore OTT opportunities. While some superstars prefer to stick to theatrical releases, actors like Ajay Devgn and Shahid Kapoor are successfully navigating both worlds.

Though Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Manoj Bajpayee, R. Madhavan, Anil Kapoor, and Aditya Roy Kapoor may not be major crowd-pullers in theaters anymore, their stardom ensures that millions of viewers are glued to their shows on OTT.

OTT platforms also provide tailor-made roles for leading ladies of the past, where the story revolves around them. Madhuri Dixit’s solid comeback performance in The Fame Game, Shefali Shah’s Emmy award-winning role in Delhi Crime, and Raveena Tandon breaking stereotypes in the intense thriller Aranyak are examples of the opportunities available to these actresses. Even international export Priyanka Chopra garnered greater media coverage for her ambitious Hollywood series Citadel than any big-budget Bollywood movie.

However, there have been misfires as well. Comebacks like Juhi Chawla’s Hush Hush, Sonali Bendre’s Broken News

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