As glamorous as it is, being an actor is a tough job. Often, talent is not enough. Mainstream Bollywood looks for other talents like physique, dance, good looks, and numerous other variables.
However, this system only created losses for actors who were not perceived mainstream but brimming with potential. Thanks to Indian shows on OTT platforms, these actors finally got their due and were noticed by the larger audience.
1. Jaideep Ahlawat in Pataal Lok
Ahlawat played many character roles in popular films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Gabbar is Back!, and Commando. However, his true potential went unnoticed until he was given the lead in the Amazon Prime web series Pataal Lok.
Playing a middle-aged police officer caught between politics and duty, his character meanders between textbook policing and off-the-book investigations. Finally, he unravels the bitter truth of the criminal underbelly. It is a suspenseful story with brilliant performances and one of the few Indian shows on OTT platforms that garnered a huge following.
2. Manoj Bajpayee in The Family Man
Manoj Bajpayee was always considered a veteran actor much respected by fans of the craft. He has starred in many critically acclaimed movies like Aligarh, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Bhonsle.
However, the 52-year-old finally became a household name with the release of The Family Main season 1 in 2019. The series released its latest season in June 2021. It shot him to almost instant stardom, making him one of the most bankable names in the industry.
3. Sunil Grover in Sunflower
One of the latest Indian shows on OTT platforms, Sunflower, was released on Zee5 and starred Sunil Grover in the lead role. The actor-comedian is famous for his appearances on The Kapil Sharma Show and has portrayed character roles in movies like Gabbar is Back! But his caliber often went unnoticed around the huge star cast.
However, his character Sonu in the Vikas Bahl directed series has created a considerable buzz surrounding his tight performance and dramatic acting chops. Filled with social satire, comedy, and suspense, the unlikely murder-mystery has shot the TV veteran to much-deserved fame.
4. Sobhita Dhulipala in Made in Heaven
Beauty pageant winner Sobhita Dhulipala was cast in Anurag Kashyap’s Raman Raghav 2.0. However, since the story revolved around Vicky Kaushal and Nawazuddin’s character, she missed her deserved credit.
However, all of that was set to change when she played the role of Tara Khanna, a former receptionist and current wife of a steel magnate. Tara runs her own wedding company, and the audience embraced her character. Her brilliant performance was complimented by the rest of the cast and Zoya Akhtar’s story-telling that brought forth the realities that lie underneath the glitz and glamour of Indian weddings.
5. Shefali Shah in Delhi Crime
Shefali Shah had starred in many commercial movies like Waqt: The Race Against Time and Dil Dhadakne Do. However, she was mostly considered a character actor who does well in whatever role she is cast in.
When one of the most popular and sensitive Indian shows on OTT platforms, Delhi Crime, was released, she came into her own as an actor. Her brilliant performance as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi allowed her to shine like the star performer she is.
These are the five actors who could get their due because of Indian shows on OTT platforms. This was possible because of our increased use of OTT that allowed us to find hidden gems like this, one of the many positive effects of lockdowns.
At Welcome Optimism, we believe that there is a silver lining to all gloomy clouds. These actors and OTT shows are testimony to that.
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