logo
Rohit Saraf: OTT gave me connection and recognition while films are giving me a wider canvas

Rohit Saraf: OTT gave me connection and recognition while films are giving me a wider canvas

Time of India16 hours ago

Rohit Saraf
In an industry often obsessed with image and labels,
Rohit Saraf
has taken a quieter route, allowing the depth of his characters and the sincerity of his performances to do the talking. Whether it was the earnest charm in Dear Zindagi, the emotional weight in The Sky Is Pink, or the effortless relatability of Rishi in Netflix's Mismatched, Rohit has consistently believed in leaning in rather than showing it off.
2024 marked a pivotal shift with Ishq Vishk Rebound, where Saraf stepped into his first lead in a theatrical film. And now in 2025, he's expanding his horizons once again, this time in Karan Johar's upcoming Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, an ensemble film that signals his arrival in a big commercial movie.
But while others in his shoes might be fixated on picking sides—OTT or theatrical—Rohit is more focused on the story than the spotlight. 'I've been very lucky. OTT gave me connection and recognition, and films are now giving me new challenges and a wider canvas,' he reflects. 'But honestly, I don't see it as one versus the other. For me, it's always about stories that move people, no matter where they live,' says Rohit without any trace of having an urge to be the next big thing, but steady climb toward roles that resonate and leave an emotional mark.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Squid Game S03 Is Still Ideologically Pure, But Can't Overcome the Paradox at its Core
Squid Game S03 Is Still Ideologically Pure, But Can't Overcome the Paradox at its Core

The Wire

timean hour ago

  • The Wire

Squid Game S03 Is Still Ideologically Pure, But Can't Overcome the Paradox at its Core

If the third season of the Netflix phenomenon Squid Game feels repetitive and tiresome, though some of it might be by design. Revolution, or for that matter any kind of resistance, is hardly ever a straight line. It's riddled with failed uprisings, a long list of martyrs, turncoats, crests and troughs of public sentiment, changing political winds – the path of resistance is rarely linear. One thing creator Hwang Donghyuk feels most sure about is not letting his viewers off the hook easily. So, he twists the knife, toys with them, unleashing psychological warfare on his characters (and as a result the viewers). Who do we side with, now that the circumstances have changed? How do you feel about your favourite character after they act in a manner you don't approve of? Or a character you resent seems to have found a conscience? Squid Game is a close approximation of what one might term a dumb smart show (not the same thing as a smart dumb show) – flattening out an intriguing set-up in a bid to be accessible. In 2021, when it appeared for the first time, Squid Game shocked the world with its perversity, almost making its sadism seem like high-art. Set around a mysterious corporation that recruits Korea's desperate civilians to a secret island, where through a series of childhood games, the last participant standing could win ₩45.6 billion (approximately $36 million). The rest would die. The show's moral lessons have been reiterated in the next two seasons, leaving behind some of its efficacy. A capitalist society is a grossly unequal place, most of us are hamsters on a wheel — the rich look at the poor with entitlement, disdain and amusement. It's what remains the core philosophy of the show even in its third season, but things did take an interesting turn in season two, when Hwang widened his purview by simulating a 'democracy' in a hyper-capitalist environment. It saw every tenet of free will and democracy being blown to smithereens. After winning the competition in the first season, protagonist Gihun (Lee Jungjae) returns in the second season, hoping to dissuade participants from participating. When he tries that, a vote is instituted at the end of each round. The surviving members can either vote to keep playing, or they could equally divide the prize money and leave. Meant to break Gihun's spirit and his need to save people who might have a similar conscience like him, the voting scenes showcase how much capitalist greed and majoritarian clout drives any democracy. Seeing democracy being subverted in one voting round after another is what prompts Gihun to convince a handful of the participants to lead a revolution, to overthrow the masters of the game, at the end of season two. A few betrayals, along with the sheer force of the establishment while retaliating to the uprising, results in a violent quashing of the revolution. At the beginning of season 3, Gihun is a broken man. Most of his fellow revolutionaries have been killed, but he's allowed to live. There's no light left in his eyes, forced to suffer through the rest of the game. There's a compelling question posed to Gihun's character through the entirety of season three – what does a living person do, when he's lost faith in everything and everyone around him? When they've come to terms with the fact that the fight doesn't necessarily matter, and the pushback will always be more fierce. When most people around him are only trying to ensure their survival, instead of recognising and overthrowing the enforced hierarchy which keeps them hungry and desperate. How does one act then? Does one give up, or do continue acting in good faith? Lee Jungjae is excellent as a broken man, consumed with revenge, pained and still unable to lose his humane side, despite every last bit of the game. A continuation of the second season as the three remaining rounds of the game take place, creator Hwang never seems in a hurry to get to the end. Always making sure that characters have made their peace with the psychological onus put on their actions. To make matters that much more soap-opera: a pregnant contestant gives birth in the middle of a game, a mother and son find themselves on opposite teams, the newborn baby is introduced as a player, a disillusioned hero finds himself protecting the voiceless. Being the conclusion to his epic saga, Hwang is also found indulging himself plenty here. There's a subplot around a crooked boat captain, whose identity is uncovered using its fair share of contrivances. The VIPs – billionaires enjoying the game like a reality show – comprise buffoonish Americans, Brits, Chinese, all speaking in a heightened manner. For a show that used to pride itself in showcasing the 'greyness' of the most well-intentioned people, it now draws its characters in the binaries of good and evil. According to Hwang, the only way to combat this system is to martyr yourself or become a dehumanised cog in the machine that feeds the rich. Despite some of its shortcomings, I largely enjoyed the third season of Squid Game because it stays pure to its ideology. But this might be the end of the road for me. The objective of the game wanting to dehumanise the poor, for the entertainment of the rich, has never been clearer. The extent of this objective is tested through Gihun, who has every right to abandon his values in a game that incentivises cruelty. In a dog-eat-dog world, Gihun remembers his humanity. However, as the show's outro showcases the action of Squid Game Korea making its way to the United States (with a stellar A-list cameo in the show's final moments) – it can't overcome the contradiction at its core. A series about the critique of capitalism needs to continue being milked for an American chapter. Hwang Donghyuk might have concluded his saga of 22 episodes, and now if the rumours are right – David Fincher (who made Fight Club – known for its critique of Western capitalism) will now be overseeing the perversity in an increasingly unequal American society. The wheels keep moving, a platform continues to pay storytellers to jump through the hoops, turning more viewers into voyeurs for other people's misery, and inventing more stylish ways to die. Those of us continuing to watch the future seasons after having grappled with what the show was trying to preach – the joke might be on us.

Skip Bayless slams Tom Brady as a 'sellout' and questions his loyalty to the NFL legacy
Skip Bayless slams Tom Brady as a 'sellout' and questions his loyalty to the NFL legacy

Time of India

time7 hours ago

  • Time of India

Skip Bayless slams Tom Brady as a 'sellout' and questions his loyalty to the NFL legacy

Tom Brady and LeBron James' friendship sparks Skip Bayless meltdown on live TV (Getty Images) Skip Bayless is no stranger to stirring controversy, but his latest meltdown might have topped them all. The 73-year-old sports commentator went nuclear after witnessing Tom Brady — a longtime idol of his — publicly praise LeBron James during a live taping of The Shop at Fanatics Fest in New York City. What was meant to be a feel-good moment between two sporting legends quickly turned into Bayless' personal nightmare. Skip Bayless melts down over Tom Brady's praise for LeBron James The exchange that triggered the tirade? Brady called LeBron 'the greatest ever,' adding that the NBA star was a shining example of consistency and class. That was enough to send Bayless into full-blown attack mode. 'Tell me I'm wrong,' Bayless fumed. 'LeBron James just can't help himself... he can't hide that runaway insecurity. Deep down, he knows he'll never be seen as the greatest basketball player ever — at least not by people who actually know the game.' LeBron James Just Can't Help Himself But Bayless wasn't done. He turned his attention toward Brady, and this time, there was no mercy. 'What a sellout Tom Brady has become post-football,' he snapped. 'On the field, greatest clutch competitor ever. Off the field? He's saying and doing whatever it takes to polish his good guy image. He's kissing up to LeBron on stage like he's trying to land a Netflix buddy comedy deal.' The scathing criticism didn't stop there. Bayless suggested that Brady's flattery wasn't heartfelt — it was calculated. 'Tom knows how many billions of followers LeBron has. He knows what a financial alliance with the King could mean. So there he is, saying, 'You're witnessing the greatest ever,' like he's auditioning for a lifetime supply of Nike stock options.' For longtime followers of Bayless, his disdain for LeBron James is nothing new. He's been vocal for years about his belief that Michael Jordan will always hold the title of the GOAT. But the shocker here wasn't just another anti-LeBron rant — it was the brutal takedown of Brady, a player Bayless has supported relentlessly for nearly two decades. To see his football idol publicly support the NBA star he has spent years dismantling clearly hit a nerve. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Bayless emphasized, 'LeBron James just can't help himself. He just can't hide his runaway insecurity… and yeah, I know that over the weekend Tom Brady called LeBron James the greatest ever… What a sellout Tom Brady has become post-football.' Perhaps this moment is less about Brady or LeBron, and more about Bayless struggling with his heroes evolving in ways he can't control. At the end of the day, two sports icons shared mutual respect — but all Skip saw was betrayal. And maybe what Skip Bayless really needs now isn't another argument — just a break from The Shop. Also Read: After Sydney Sweeney, Tom Brady fuels dating rumors with Brooks Nader after cozy moments in Venice Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.

Squid Game: Is Season 4 or US Spinoff confirmed? See if it will return or not
Squid Game: Is Season 4 or US Spinoff confirmed? See if it will return or not

Economic Times

time8 hours ago

  • Economic Times

Squid Game: Is Season 4 or US Spinoff confirmed? See if it will return or not

Squid Game Season 4 is not happening because the show's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, planned to conclude the story with Season 3. He originally wrote Seasons 2 and 3 as one story. Though the main series ends, possible spinoffs, including a US version, may continue the Squid Game universe. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Creator's Original Plan for Series Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why Gi-hun's Story Ends in Season 3? US Spinoff Season 3 Ending Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Spinoffs and Other Projects FAQs Squid Game will not return for a fourth season. The creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, planned the series to end with Season 3. He had a clear conclusion for the characters and the story. The decision follows the original structure he intended for the Dong-hyuk did not initially plan multiple seasons for Squid Game. The series was written as a one-season story. Due to global popularity and audience demand, he expanded the 2 was written with the intention of concluding the story. However, while writing, Dong-hyuk realized it was becoming too long. He decided to divide it into two parts. These became Seasons 2 and a letter to fans, Dong-hyuk confirmed that Season 3 would be the final season. He wanted to complete the journey of the main character and deliver a full message to the character Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, dies in Season 3. This was not part of the early story plan. As Dong-hyuk developed the script, he felt the need for a complete wanted to close the arc of both the game and Gi-hun's character. In an interview, he explained the deeper message behind the finale. He said that without cooperation or self-sacrifice, there can be no future. The show's final message is based on the idea of collective are rumors about a Squid Game series based in the United States. Netflix has not officially approved the show yet. However, speculation grew after the ending of Season the final scene, Front Man goes to Los Angeles. He gives Gi-hun's belongings to his daughter. While driving away, he sees a woman, played by Cate Blanchett, playing ddakji with a homeless scene may suggest a new game in the US. In 2023, news emerged that David Fincher might work on the spinoff. Dong-hyuk confirmed that Netflix had ideas for the though no formal announcement has been made, the scene hints at potential future projects. Sources say the Season 3 ending was not created to set up another series, but plans could 3 received different reactions from viewers. Some fans were unhappy with how the story ended. Only three characters survived, which led to strong responses Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave Season 3 an 82% score. The audience score, however, was only 51%. In comparison, Season 1 had an 84% audience discussions on platforms like Reddit showed a divide. Some felt the ending was too realistic and disappointing. They questioned the logic of certain character choices. Others felt the message was clear and was also criticism of unresolved subplots, such as the weak conclusion of the story between the detective and his brother. Some viewers also pointed out the show's contradiction between its message and Netflix's business some fans supported the ending. They believed it stayed true to the themes from Season 1. The final scene between Gi-hun and Player 333 was seen as meaningful. They also argued that character deaths were necessary, given the show's the main series is finished, Squid Game: The Challenge will continue. This is a real-life competition series based on the original show. A second season has been creator planned to finish the story with Season 3. He originally wrote Seasons 2 and 3 as one arc and wanted to complete Gi-hun's has not confirmed it yet. A scene in Season 3 hints at it, and David Fincher was linked, but the project is still unannounced.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store