NOV 27: At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, the Jury of the Indian Panorama Web Series (OTT) section shared their reflections on how streaming platforms are reshaping India’s creative ecosystem. Jury Chair Bharatbala, along with Shekhar Das, Munjal Shroff, and Rajeshwari Sachdev, spoke about the artistic freedom, diversity, and cultural depth that OTT has ushered into contemporary storytelling.
Bharatbala described OTT as a medium that has “freed stories from formula,” allowing regional voices, smaller narratives, and social realities—once overshadowed in mainstream cinema—to flourish. He noted that streaming platforms give new creators a chance to experiment while enabling Indian stories to travel globally through platforms like Netflix and Amazon. With unconventional talent entering the field, he urged creators to focus on emotional honesty and grounded narratives.
Filmmaker Shekhar Das emphasised the responsibility of digital storytellers, calling OTT an extension of cinema capable of capturing society’s conflicts with intensity and nuance. Watching an entire series, he said, feels like experiencing multiple films crafted with cinematic depth.
Producer-director Munjal Shroff highlighted the “democratisation of distribution,” where gatekeeping has receded and audiences reward authenticity over star power. He pointed out that creators today enjoy unprecedented freedom to explore niche genres and challenging themes without commercial constraints.
Actor Rajeshwari Sachdev reflected on the intimate, personal nature of streaming consumption. With stories now reaching viewers directly through their devices, she said audiences are increasingly open to fresh perspectives and once-taboo subjects, such as prison narratives, told with empathy and honesty.
The 56th edition of IFFI continues to celebrate India’s evolving creative voice against Goa’s vibrant cultural backdrop.
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