Prominent actors Shefali Shah and Huma Qureshi made a compelling appearance at the ninth edition of Expresso, engaging in a thought-provoking discussion about the transformative impact of streaming platforms on the entertainment industry, particularly for female artists and unconventional storytelling.
The OTT Revolution: Empowering Women in Entertainment
During the extensive conversation held at The Taj Mahal hotel in New Delhi, both actors emphasized how digital platforms have fundamentally reshaped career opportunities for women in the film industry. Huma Qureshi highlighted the significant shift, noting that streaming services are progressively challenging the traditional belief that theatrical success is predominantly driven by male-centric narratives.
"Whether it's Netflix or any other platform, they're gradually rejecting the conventional wisdom that theatrical business is only led by men," Huma stated during the session. She emphasized that OTT platforms have demonstrated the existence of a diverse, captive audience that appreciates varied content, regardless of gender focus.
The actress pointed to successful series like Delhi Crime and Maharani as prime examples, asserting that these shows aren't exclusively watched by women but enjoyed by audiences across gender lines. "The numbers speak for themselves," she affirmed, suggesting that if such content were adapted for theatrical release, it would likely attract substantial viewership.
Creative Liberation Through Streaming Platforms
Shefali Shah echoed her co-star's sentiments, emphasizing how OTT platforms have revolutionized storytelling by providing opportunities for narratives that don't conform to traditional box office templates. "OTT platforms really changed that," Shefali remarked. "They started giving full-fledged roles and stories that you may not have heard before."
The acclaimed actress highlighted how this transformation has benefited numerous talented individuals in the industry who previously struggled to find suitable opportunities despite their brilliance. She expressed confidence that streaming services have enabled many creative professionals to translate their potential into substantial work that might have otherwise remained unrealized.
The Theatrical Challenge for Independent Cinema
Despite celebrating the OTT revolution, Huma Qureshi also voiced concerns about the current challenges facing smaller independent films in the theatrical space. She shared her personal experience with the film Single Salma, which released on October 31 but failed to reach wider audiences due to limited promotion and marketing support.
"There was no real buzz or conversation around it because there was a belief that now it will come on a streamer," Huma explained, highlighting the growing tendency to bypass theatrical releases for smaller films with the expectation of eventual OTT availability.
The actress expressed apprehension about this trend's long-term implications for the film industry. "I feel it is going to kill the business because the big machismo and the blockbusters are not going to sustain the business; it's the small and mid-size films that always have and will always keep the business going," she cautioned.
Collaborative Experiences and Future Projects
The discussion also delved into the actors' collaborative experience working together on the critically acclaimed Netflix series Delhi Crime Season 3. Huma Qureshi additionally shared insights about her venture into production alongside her brother Saqib Saleem, while Shefali Shah reflected on her memorable experience working in Mira Nair's seminal film Monsoon Wedding.
The Expresso session, known for hosting engaging conversations with prominent figures from Indian entertainment, featured these two accomplished actors in a candid discussion about industry evolution, creative challenges, and the changing landscape of content consumption.
The complete session featuring Huma Qureshi and Shefali Shah will be available for viewing on The Indian Express YouTube channels starting from 8 pm on November 21. The event was organized in collaboration with several partners, including AU Small Finance Bank as the presenting partner, The Taj Mahal New Delhi as the venue partner, and other supporting organizations.
