ET Women's Forum: A wider angle of emotions with OTT, a close-up of new desires, say actors' panel

Time of India

15-06-2025

In a panel discussion titled '
Women in OTT
: Changing the Script' at The Economic Times Women's Forum 2025, acclaimed actors Rasika Dugal, Tillotama Shome, Riddhi Dogra, Sheeba Chaddha, and Anjali Anand came together to share personal journeys, career pivots, and how the
streaming revolution
transformed the narrative arc for women in Indian entertainment.
Rasika Dugal, widely recognised for her role as Beena Tripathi in the critically acclaimed web series Mirzapur, opened the conversation with a candid take on the early promise of streaming platforms.
"When OTT first exploded, everyone was suddenly saying 'female-centric story, female-led character'. It was exciting, but I was sceptical. Would it be real change or just another form of tokenism-women doing the same things men do?"
Dugal added that scripts are now beginning to explore femininity more meaningfully. "We don't always succeed because our ingrained references often objectify women. Despite good intentions, visuals can end up sexualised even if that wasn't the intent on paper. We're all working to unlearn and undo that baggage," she said.
Veteran performer Sheeba Chaddha, who has transitioned fluidly between theatre, film, and streaming, spoke of clarity rather than challenge. "I've always approached them (theatre and film) as completely separate mediums and we engage with them differently," she noted.
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Tillotama Shome reflected on her shift from theatre to film and OTT, emphasising the emotional safety the camera offered. "The camera was like an unobtrusive, gentle friend," she said. "The concept of multiple takes wasn't about repetition-it was about trying something new. It suited someone like me who doesn't enjoy the adrenaline rush of a live performance." She also spoke about the impact of her role in Qissa, where she played a woman raised as a man by her father. The part, she said, reshaped her understanding of gender and identity.
Riddhi Dogra, who played a woman grappling with same-sex desire in The Married Woman, admitted to initial hesitation. "It was a subject that needed absolute non-judgement and great sensitivity," she said. "But when I met the director and writer, I understood the care they were bringing to the story."
She said that a script supervisor-herself in a same-sex relationship-was brought in to guide the process. "I think that is what has sort of resonated with the audience, whoever has appreciated that show, is that they see that care, they see that sensitivity but not overly doing it. We kept it as normal as possible," she added.
For Anjali Anand, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani marked a turning point. "I came from television-did it for three years after my first web show, back in 2016-17, when the web shows weren't really considered cool. Television throws every imaginable situation at you-especially if you're the protagonist in a daily show," she said.
"When Rocky Aur Rani came along, it felt like the right opportunity to finally show what I was capable of. I had been preparing for it, and I chose to take it on."
Reflecting on her role as Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur, Dugal said the role became a form of exploration-something she hadn't had the courage to pursue or allowed herself to experience in real life.
"I feel I had an upbringing that was as free from gender bias as possible within a patriarchal society. I also went to a college with a strong feminist ideology," she added.
Speaking about changing perceptions of indie cinema, Shome observed that independent films are experiencing a resurgence. "It feels funny-like coming full circle. When I started out with independent cinema, it was looked down upon, and considered neither mainstream nor commercially viable. So it's really nice to now be in an environment where people understand the commercial viability of an independent project. And by 'independent,' I mean having the creative freedom to do what you want."