MUMBAI: With a gazillion pieces of content being created every day, the audience today craves fresh and binge-worthy content, and Comall Sunjoy W, who co-founded Sphereorigins alongwith Sunjoy Waddhwa, agrees to it. However, she feels that the viewers not only seek entertainment but also long for relatable content.
She said, "It’s true; with the sheer volume of content available and fast-paced digital exposure, it is challenging because the attention span of today’s audience is shorter than ever. However, viewers still crave a connection with a character’s journey."
"I believe that every writer, director, or creator strives to bring a unique vision to their story. The ultimate focus remains on creating binge-worthy content. Stories that spark discussions often spread quickly. So crafting tight and engaging scripts with compelling visuals and skilled direction are key elements in creating a well-crafted series or film," she added.
A renowned production house, Sphereorigins has consistently delivered hit shows that have captivated audiences worldwide. By producing over 12,000 hours of television content, the company has also carved a niche for itself in the OTT space, particularly with web series such as Ranneeti, Balakot and Beyond, Your Honor—Seasons 1 and 2, and Dark 7 White. Their latest web series Salakaar, an espionage thriller, which is streaming on JioHotstar, has been trending on the streaming charts in India and maintained its position for two consecutive weeks
Comall shared, "As a producer, storytelling in any medium works—be it film, television, theater, podcasts, or digital platforms. Therefore, making shows for OTT is an extension of our creative possibilities, allowing us to explore and collaborate with great talent. Eventually your story needs to reach and connect with the viewers."
"Out of the six series produced, two are original creations, three are official adaptations from British and Israeli shows, and one is adapted from a book. So on OTT, you can explore diverse narratives and experiment with formats, as the audience is different. We are in the business of crafting stories, be it in any medium," she added.
While OTT allows more creative freedom, it comes with its own challenges. She said, "With a shorter audience span, pace is the key here, and it’s a creative challenge to balance depth with pace, especially since viewers can click away within seconds. So the writers need to manage this balance and emotionally hook them early on."
"OTT viewers are savvy, so we don’t need to oversimplify or explain everything upfront. By now, they are trained for micro cliffhangers. Overwritten scenes feel slow, so episodes need to hit harder and resolve faster," she added.
With spy thrillers taking the spotlight globally, when asked what makes Salakaar different, she said, "Broadly speaking, the themes and execution of spy and espionage thrillers differ between India and those produced globally. In India, strong emphasis is on patriotism and national security, whereas internationally, it’s more grey and not always black-and-white patriotism."
"Salakaar is about real-world threats with emotional backstories. Running between two timelines, the story delves into the psychological tensions and complex interpersonal relationships. It respects the intelligence of its viewers, inviting them to piece the puzzle together and see how the emotional threads connect across time. The story explores the emotional cost of espionage—what it means to lie for a living, have no true home, or sacrifice real relationships for missions. The series is intense, grounded, deeply human, and inspired by a real-life hero," she added.
For her, impact is the true measure of a successful show—not just numbers. “Honestly, it goes far beyond those numbers or watch time. A truly great film, web series, or TV show leaves an impact— it resonates with viewers long after the credits roll. When audiences feel emotionally invested, when they see themselves in the characters, or when a story presents themes that spark meaningful conversations, that’s when we know we’ve achieved something real. That kind of impact can’t be measured only in metrics," she said.
"Shows like Saat Phere, Balika Vadhu, Gangaa, Mere Angne Mein, Gulaal, and Katha Ankahee became a reference point. And we attribute that success to the brilliance of the writers and directors. So it’s about delivering a story with purpose and emotionally satisfying arcs. Viewership numbers and ratings can definitely give you a quick look at how popular the show is, but I think the real measure of success is how those stories impact audiences. Good stories should connect with people on an emotional level, and that can’t be planned out with numbers or strategies. Ultimately, success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating stories that matter and evoke emotions." Comall ended.
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