Levelling the gender field, OTT shows are exploring themes and stories that are being told from a woman’s perspective

Gurnaaz Kaur

The growing potential of the digital medium is no surprise. Blockbuster movies, binge-worthy shows, more and more actors getting noticed. With the content being realistic and representation getting authentic, Indian web is getting bigger and better.

And a change that the OTT platforms have brought our way is a flux of women-centric shows. Some inspired from real life, some fiction based on real issues, these shows present confident, strong and empowered women who celebrate their victories and don’t give into the struggles.

Levelling the gender field, digital narratives are exploring themes and stories that were hardly ever taken up on the big screen. This freshness is being liked by viewers and that gives impetus to more such shows to be produced.

“The role of women generally in cinema too has evolved a lot from what we used to see earlier. Though there were strong women characters in films always, they were few and far between. Now with OTT, the volume is large and hence more opportunities,” says Divya Dutta. The actress feels it’s a pleasant break from those sweet, goody-goody roles.

Acknowledging the real stories about women makes for good content. Be it about dreams, desires and struggles of urban women in Bombay Begums, the journey of a woman who takes up the responsibility of her corrupt family business in Aarya or playing a real-life inspired police officer who is caught between her job and personal life in Delhi Crime, these roles have kind of given a new lease of life to the art of performance for women. For Shefali Shah her role in Delhi Crime is something she always wanted to play.

As far as OTT content goes, she appreciates that, “These aren’t just about heroes and heroines, but about characters.”

Films and series that would otherwise struggle to get producers and distributors are being supported by streaming services. Many opportunities, big roles, well-etched characters have all become mainstream for women in an industry which propagated male heroes.

“I don’t think a few years ago we would have thought of us getting such big roles in series where we could be playing the lead. Women now have an equally dominated presence as men did at the box office, thanks to the OTT channels. The length of a role is also important and that helps bring out great performances as you can see in so many women-centric shows,” says Aahana Kumra, who has acted in web shows like Inside Edge, Rangbaaz and Betaal.

Having a theatre background, she is happy to see those trained actors finally taking centre-stage.

“So many women I’ve admired are getting to play fantastic leads, their training or the work they have put on stage gets reflected through web series. It’s important that they take a bow and get all the accolades,” she says.

Reiterating the thought, Divya adds, “It is lovely to see so many female actors of all ages getting such prominence in digital shows. I have been lucky to be a part of Hostages, Special Ops and Zindagi In Shorts and a few other short stories. It is a very good time for actors.”

Right at the start of her acting career, Shaylee Krishen got to play the lead in The Last Hour. “It is my first release and to get a meaty role in my very first show was possible because of OTT. Else one had to wait for years as films, especially with credible names, would be less in numbers and in most films the male characters would take the lead. Women-oriented films were always few. Now, there are so many shows on OTT with women characters being as prominent as the male leads,” Shaylee admits.

There is room for experimenting and the sky’s the limit! “Today, we have the freedom to try new, off-beat characters that are powerful and break all the old fashion ways. Look at any good show being made these days and you will see a 21st generation woman. This was long due. I feel grateful that I could play such versatile and important roles and it could all happen in such a short span of time only because of OTT,” says Ruhi Singh, who was in Bang Bang, Chakravyuh and Runaway Lugaai.

She believes even films are getting influenced by the change that OTT platforms have brought in the world of entertainment.