Comparing OTT and television isn't fair: Angad Hasija

MUMBAI: Known for his character in shows like Sapna Babul Ka…Bidaai, and Tera Rang Chadeya, Angad Hasija feels it’s unfair to compare OTT and TV. He said, “OTT platforms are receiving a lot of attention because they offer amazing concepts and real shoots, making them quite different from television.”
 
“However, comparing OTT and television isn't fair because they are separate industries with different audiences. Television still generates significant buzz and has a unique audience,” he added.
 
He spoke about his new show, Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye and said that people have already started addressing him by his character name, Aviraj. He further said, “Even at the gym, I encountered fans who had seen the show, highlighting the quick buzz television can create. Television has been my focus for 18 years, and its audience connection is unmatched.”
 
Angad also stressed that, though OTT platforms offer great content, becoming a star on OTT isn't as straightforward. He said, “Television provides immediate feedback, and its audience is accustomed to its free-spirited nature, unlike OTT's diverse reactions. OTT content can include bold scenes, making it unsuitable for family viewing, unlike television, which is more family-friendly and universally relatable.”
 
But he is not comfortable with doing bold scenes, and that’s why he has to decline a few web series offers made to him.
 
“If someone asks me to do bold scenes, I'm just not comfortable with it at all. That's why I've had to turn down a couple of web series where they wanted proper bed scenes, saying there would be one or two scenes like that. Everyone has their own take on things, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's all about being comfortable. I feel uneasy about doing bed or sex scenes, which has made it a bit difficult for me. I used to be okay with it before because sometimes you feel more free, but it's really about mindset. That's just how I see it,” he said.
 
“That's why I decided to leave some web series because of the bold scenes. And I think it also depends on what platform you're working on and the quality of work you want to do. Right now, I'm not even sure if there's a good platform out there for me. And if I feel like the character and script are going in a direction that I'm not comfortable with, it's not just about having bold scenes for promotion. Each actor decides based on their own comfort level and the quality of the script, as well as the platform they're working on. In most cases, if the script is good and the platform is right, nobody has any issues with it,” he added.
 
He also pointed out that OTT shows the reality of life, and mirrors society. “If you look at the gaalis and other things shown on OTT platforms, it feels like they're reflecting real life. We hear about drugs and other topics being discussed openly, which makes me think that when I watch web series, I'm drawn to them as well. It's like a marketing strategy for that content, how they conceive and present it,” he said.
 
Two web series that you would recommend? “I recently watched some web series, but one that really stood out to me on Netflix is You. I think it's an amazing series with fantastic performances. If I ever got a character like that, I'd be really happy. So, I highly recommend You to everyone, and What If is also good,” Angad ended.