Sayani Gupta Discusses OTT Revolution and Empathetic Storytelling at Women's Edition Awards
Times Entertainment's Power Creator Awards - Women's Edition, held in Mumbai on March 9th, served as a vibrant celebration of women's achievements across diverse fields in India. Beyond honoring contributions, the event provided a crucial platform for insightful dialogues, with actress Sayani Gupta leading a compelling conversation on the transformative impact of OTT platforms on global viewing habits.
A Shift Towards Empathetic and Joyful Content
During her talk, Sayani Gupta emphasized a significant global sentiment shift in entertainment consumption. She articulated that audiences are increasingly drawn to films and shows that mirror the contemporary era, calling for more empathetic, sensitive, and joyous narratives suitable for all ages, including children. "Overall, there is a shift in the sentiment across the globe," Gupta stated. "And the reason why certain kinds of films and shows are being watched is that they resonate with the times we live in. I genuinely think we need content that is more empathetic, which children can watch, sensitive and beautiful and full of life."
Praising 'Boong' and Critiquing Market Trends
To illustrate her point, Gupta highlighted the BAFTA-winning film 'Boong,' a beautiful story about a little boy, his friends, and his mother. She expressed concern that such heartfelt films often struggle to gain viewership despite their quality. "But those kinds of things are not really being made or are not of interest. People are not really watching it, right? For example, 'Boong' has just been released. How many of us are actually going to watch it?" she questioned, giving a heartfelt shout-out to the movie, which she described as her favorite.
Gupta contrasted this with the success of more masculine-oriented films in theaters, noting a disparity in audience engagement. "Normally, people are going to theatres and watching this beautiful film. But there are other films which are extremely masculine, which are doing well for some reason, right?" she observed, urging viewers to take responsibility for supporting diverse content.
Call to Action for Viewers
Concluding her remarks, Sayani Gupta called on audiences to actively support the types of stories they wish to see more of. "So I think as viewers, we need to take the onus of going and putting our money where our mouth is," she asserted, emphasizing the power of consumer choice in shaping the entertainment landscape through OTT platforms and traditional theaters alike.
Event Details and Partnerships
The Power Creator Awards - Women's Edition was a landmark event powered by key partners, including Thanks A Dot, a breast cancer awareness initiative by SBI Life Insurance, as the Powered By Partner. Nothing Phone (4a) served as the Co-Powered By Partner, and Gaura Travel was the Travel Partner, ensuring a seamless and impactful celebration of women's contributions across India.
This gathering not only recognized excellence but also fostered meaningful discussions on industry trends, with Sayani Gupta's insights shedding light on the evolving dynamics of storytelling and viewership in the digital age.
