The jury of the Indian Panorama Web Series (OTT) section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) declared that streaming platforms are not only liberating stories from the confines of formula but are profoundly reshaping India’s creative culture. Addressing the media in Goa, jury chairperson Bharatbala and members Shekhar Das, Munjal Shroff, and Rajeshwari Sachdev emphasized the growing appetite for authentic, diverse, and boundary-pushing content enabled by the digital medium.
The creation of the IFFI Web Series section mirrors India’s rapidly evolving and dynamic storytelling landscape.
Jury chairperson Bharatbala described OTT as “a space that has liberated stories from the confines of formula and convention.” He noted that many social dramas and regional narratives, which once vanished from cinema halls, have been revived with renewed energy on streaming platforms.
- Diversity and Grassroots Talent: Bharatbala stressed that India’s continental diversity is now being fully explored: “OTT allows us to tell stories of our neighbours, our local environments, our immediate society—stories that would otherwise never surface.” He added that the format allows new talent to breathe and experiment, enabling “gems to rise from grassroots creativity into mainstream cinema.”
- Global Reach and Craft: He urged storytellers to sharpen their craft, noting that once content is on a major platform, “it’s global.” Narratives must remain rooted, authentic, and yet universal in appeal.
Filmmaker Shekhar Das called the web series format an exciting extension of cinema, enabling immersive explorations of complex social realities. He praised the depth and diversity of the selections, stating that watching an eight-episode series is like “experiencing eight independent films,” highlighting the cinematic rigour involved in long-form narratives.
Producer and director Munjal Shroff described the OTT revolution as the “democratisation of distribution,” where sincerity over stardom is rewarded. He observed that diminishing gatekeeping allows filmmakers the freedom to tell unconventional stories without the restrictions of box office formulas or television censorship.
Actor Rajeshwari Sachdev highlighted the intimate relationship between viewers and their screens. She noted that the appetite for new perspectives has grown, citing how once-taboo subjects, like prison life, are now being explored with honesty and compassion, reaching audiences with curiosity.
Key Highlights:
- The IFFI Indian Panorama Web Series (OTT) Jury asserted that streaming platforms are reshaping India’s creative culture by liberating stories from formulaic constraints and driving demand for diverse, authentic content.
- Jury Chairperson Bharatbala described OTT as a space that has allowed grassroots creativity and regional, social narratives—which once struggled in cinemas—to flourish, giving a voice to India’s diverse stories.
- Filmmaker Shekhar Das likened watching an eight-episode series to “experiencing eight independent films,” emphasizing the cinematic depth and artistic responsibility required for the long-form digital narrative.
- The jury concluded that the democratization of distribution rewards sincerity over stardom, enabling creators to experiment with previously taboo subjects and unconventional concepts.