Streamers have been a new source of employment for the entertainment industry, says actor Radhika Apte, who believes the digital space is a medium that can thrive under free speech.
Radhika Apte, whose “Sacred Games”, “Ghoul” series and “Lust Stories” and “Raat Akeli Hai” movies have been released on the Netflix streaming service, said it was “terrifying” that OTT platforms ( over-the-top) face intense government scrutiny.
“I hope we understand that there has to be freedom of speech and that people have to be much more tolerant that there will be disagreements in life, that’s the way of life. I find it terrifying and sad that this is where we are headed, ”Apte told PTI in an interview when asked to comment on the authorities’ intervention in the OTT space.
Following the controversy over the Amazon Prime Video ‘Tandav’ web series, streaming platforms have come under scrutiny.
Last month, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced that a “code of ethics” and a three-tier grievance mechanism would apply for OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney. + Hotstar, news editors and digital media.
Apte said that in addition to providing diverse content to audiences, OTT platforms serve as a bridge between artists and creators, both domestic and international.
“The platform has given a lot of opportunities and jobs. The platform is too recent. What OTT has offered is the audience and it’s awesome.
“We will have to wait and see how things evolve in the next four to five years, whether it makes the players viable internationally, whether we mix players or projects, or more collaborations. Things don’t happen overnight, ”added the 35-year-old actor, who divides his time between Mumbai and London.
Apte is excited about her next digital platform release with producer Anand Gandhi’s upcoming sci-fi comedy series, “OK Computer,” which is currently airing on Disney + Hotstar VIP.
Created and directed by Pooja Shetty and Neil Pagedar, the show imagines a near future where, for the first time, Homo-Sapiens meet Robo-Sapiens.
As science fiction continues to be a less exploited genre, the actor said, working on the series was a “refreshing” experience.
“What I liked was that it was a mock documentary and that was the most exciting part about it. There is a risk because it is a new experience. I abandoned myself to the vision of the directors, ”she added.
In the past India has seen a few titles in the sci-fi genre like the 1969 Satyajit Ray film “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne” and “Mr India” by Shekhar Kapur, the 1988 film starring Anil Kapoor. , Sridevi and Amrish Puri.
Arati Kadav’s “Cargo”, released last year on Netflix, is the most recent offering in the space.
“The storytelling in all of these films has been unique. “Cargo” and “OK Computer” are the most technologically advanced projects (of their kind). Just because the genre is similar it doesn’t mean they can be compared, ”said Apte, adding that some of his favorite sci-fi movies are“ 2001: A Space Odyssey, ”“ The Fly, ”1982. “Blade Runner”.
“People are ready to see good work. We constantly underestimate our audiences. If the content is engaging, they will watch it. If not, they won’t watch it (regardless of genre), ”she noted.
The absurd cartoonist comedy in “OK Computer” is the brainchild of directors Shetty and Pagedar, Apte said.
Playing the role of Laxmi Suri, an artificial intelligence (AI) scientist on the show, was a ‘risk’.
“It’s not in my comfort zone at all, so it was exciting to take that risk and see how it works. I have the impression that this comedy is very original. It is also something new for the audience and the actors. If he succeeds, the credit is entirely theirs, but if he fails, we have not done our job very well, ”she added.
“OK Computer” also stars Vijay Varma, Jackie Shroff, Kani Kusruti and Rasika Dugal.
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