In the last two and a half years, digital platforms and streaming services have seen quite a boom. And with the rise in the popularity of OTT platforms, many aspiring and young talents got a chance to fulfill their dreams of becoming an actor. Not just actors, OTT platforms and their shows have been praised for giving opportunities for creative people across the board such as writers, directors, and creators.

‘Paatal Lok’, 'Sacred Games', 'Mirzapur', 'Made In Heaven', and 'Rocket Boys', to name a few, are popular shows that have put talented actors firmly in the spotlight. In the words of actor Ajay Rajpal, “With the rise of the OTT platforms, there comes the rise of opportunities for both aspiring actors and actors who were struggling to get work. Aspiring actors have now realized that with the OTT platforms, they get to showcase true potential with the benefit of getting a variety of characters within OTT channels. Actors who were struggling to get into Bollywood are now grabbing opportunities with the digital platforms where they get to show their talent on the mightiest of the meatiest character that they are offered.”

Covid restrictions that forced movie theatres to shut for large parts of 2020 and 2021 pushed the audience to turn to digital screens for entertainment and triggered a boom for OTT which continues. As per a PwC report, India is the world’s fastest-growing market for streaming platforms. By 2024, it is expected to be the sixth-largest market with an annual growth rate of 28.6 per cent. This spurt has been fueled by a growing market and consumers who now have a wider array of options to choose from. What’s more, consumers could also choose the device they wanted to watch it on and with liberal censorship, OTTs became immensely popular. 

This has perhaps eased the way of new entrants to the world of acting, creating a space where talent wins appreciation. Talent such as that of Jaideep Ahlawat. A young man born in a non-film background in Rohtak, Haryana. Unable to join the army, he moved to acting. He played the role of a ruffian in the iconic ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ and in the normal course of things, may have eventually been either a side actor or even a villain in Bollywood. However, OTTs gave him a lead role in ‘Paatal Lok’ where is performance was applauded. His is one of many such cases.