Actor Arjun Bijlani has been associated with the entertainment industry for 22 years now. Be it TV, web, or films, the actor has tasted success in all three mediums. For him, nothing is small or big till the time he is able to tell stories that not only relate with the audience but also inspire them.
He said, “I don’t see TV, OTT, or films as competition to each other. I feel they are like different classrooms, where the input remains the same—that is, acting—only the result differs, in the sense of the platforms. While television gives you time to evolve, films are all about being accurate, and OTT gives you more layered characters and the space to explore the craft more. However, I do agree that TV is much more traditional than OTT and films.”
“As an actor, the medium is immaterial. Our job is to tell stories no matter the medium. If the storyline is good, it can easily be successful on the big screen, the small screen, and the streaming platforms. The power lies in storytelling. It should be able to connect with the audience while giving them entertainment,” he added.
When questioned about the bold content that has become common today on OTT and films, he said, “Like I said, TV still continues to be traditional. It is family entertainment, while OTT and films can be personal. Having said that, the audience today has a wide variety of content to choose from. There is something for everyone, be they kids, adults, or even senior citizens. You can skip the bold content anytime you want.”
“Viewers have options, and with three mediums, the options have only increased. It’s the best thing that has happened with content, and this way all three platforms co-exist together,” Arjun added.
The actor, who has been a part of shows like Remix, Left Right Left, Miley Jab Hum Tum, Naagin, and Pyar Ka Pehla Adhyaya: Shiv Shakti, among others, believes the audience shouldn’t be underestimated these days. He said, “The viewers today are very smart. If they sense anything fake, forced, or something that they are not able to relate to, they instantly reject it. It’s no more about star power.”
“Thanks to social media, the feedback is instant, and anything that doesn’t fulfill the audience’s expectations can be worked upon. “It’s not about the platform; it’s about authenticity,” Arjun ended.
