In the times of web, does television still hold importance? Telly stars share their views on World Television Day

Times change and so do the ways. The family gatherings around television have given way to individual screens, courtesy OTT platform. On World Television Day, actors speak if the two mediums are in competition with each other or complementary, while going down the memory lane sharing notes about their favourite TV shows.

Better content

I have seen TV evolving over the last two decades. These days OTT platform is offering much better content and shows that are mounted on a scale as big as the movies. But then, all the shows are made for family viewing. Also, OTT is not accessible to all the people in India. One show that I thoroughly enjoyed during my entire childhood was Sony SAB’s Office Office. — Meghan Jadhav aka Swapnil Aggarwal in Sony SAB’s Tera Yaar Hoon Main

Target audience

TV and OTT have a different target audience and that is how it will always be. Home makers and their elders will always watch television while their kids will be glued on their phone watching something else. Growing up, my favourite show was Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. It kind of changed the game for the television serials. — Neelu Vaghela aka Pratibha Devi in Aye Mere Humsafar

Changed game

OTT has surely changed the game. Television is also coming up with some great ideas now. Television can never die because it has its loyal 60 per cent audience nationwide as some viewers are not that internet savvy. You won’t see any old women from Rajasthan watching Breaking Bad, but surely can see her watching Aye Mere Hamsafar on Dangal. The show that I really enjoy is Shaadi Mubarak as it’s about love, and second chances. — Achherr Bhaardwaj as Laxman Kothari in Aye Mere Humsafar

Iconic shows

I don’t think OTT can ever replace the good old TV. But, yes, it has marked its place in the entertainment industry. My favourite shows have been Buniyaad, Ramayan and Malgudi Days. During lockdown when Ramayan was again aired on National TV, it created history. People will never forget such iconic shows; no one can replace them ever. — Paritosh Tripathi, seen in Netflix’ Ludo

No replacement

I don’t think anything can replace TV. Even in the western world, big shows like Game of Thrones were made for television. My favourite show has been Malgudi Days, I don’t remember how old I was because I’ve watched the re-runs too and I still watch it online.— Sehban Azim aka ACP Malhar Rane from Tujhse Hai Raabta

Integral part

TV will always be an integral part of everyone’s life. Right from Chandrakanta, Shanti, Junoon, Shaktimaan and Dekh Bhai Dekh have been my favourite shows over the years. - Raashul Tandon aka Ginoo from Aladdin — Naam Toh Suna Hoga

Separate zones

I don’t feel that OTT has replaced TV. I feel both the mediums are totally different. TV has more of a family-oriented audience. OTT has more of a younger audience. I don’t know how many years have gone by but I still miss watching Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behena Hai. — Bhavika Sharma aka Constable Santosh Sharma in Sony SAB’s Maddam Sir

Watching together

Content-wise, web may have done wonders but the charm of watching shows together on television was ultimate. My favourite TV shows have been Surabhi and Bharat Ek Khoj. — Shashank Vyas, actor

Important role

I think television plays an extremely important role in our society and it’s not going anywhere. I enjoyed watching Ramayan and Mahabharat on Sundays; then there was Vikram Aur Betal and Shaktiman. — Nishant Singh Malkhani, actor

Family fun

The beauty of seeing something on television is different. I enjoyed watching Circus, Son Pari, Shaka Laka Boom Boom and Shararat. — Yesha Rughani, actor

Enjoyed by all

You can watch stuff online now, but there are many people who are hooked on to television, especially the senior citizens. Ye Jo Hai Zindagi is one of my favourite TV show. — Delnaaz Irani, actor

Big impact

It’s true that there has been an impact on the television viewership in the last few years, as a lot of people have shifted to digital mediums. But still there is a big household viewership, which is relying on television for entertainment. My favourite is Udaan, my own show! — Vijayendra Kumeria, actor

Different benefits

Both OTT and TV are strong and beneficial in their own ways. The image that television has is irreplaceable while OTT has created its own market. My favourite TV show was Hip Hip Hurry on Zee TV. — Sonal Vengurlekar aka Jaya Gupta Brothers in Chaar Kunware From Ganga Kinaare

— Compiled by Mona

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