Malayalam star Nivin Pauly on OTT vs big screen: ‘Ultimately, it is about the content we are presenting’ - Exclusive

In the year 2026, Malayalam superstar Nivin Pauly has a packed schedule. Not one or two, he has five projects in the pipeline. In fact, he ended 2025 on a positive note when he made his OTT debut with ‘Pharma.’ Speaking about the same, in an exclusive conversation with us, Nivin shared, “The main excitement for me was the subject itself.”

OTT vs big screen, here’s what Nivin Pauly has to say

Ephasing on what really matters is content and not the platform, Nivin shared, “‘Pharma’ deals with a highly socially relevant topic that needs to be told. Whether it is OTT or the big screen, ultimately, it is about the content we are presenting.”





“I have always wanted to experiment with this medium because it allows you to tell stories that might be too complex for a standard theatrical format,” he added.

In continuation, when asked if his debut in the digital space has made him more inclined towards the OTT industry, he said, “I am very satisfied with ‘Pharma’ because it sparked necessary conversations. As an actor, being part of such socially relevant storytelling is fulfilling. I am always open to experiments, so let's see what the future holds.”

Nivin Pauly on ‘Sarvam Maya’

In addition to the OTT debut, Nivin was seen in ‘Sarvam Maya,’ which, according to the actor, “ was a film we made with a lot of love, aiming to bring back a certain 'feel-good’ factor that the family audience had been missing for quite a long time.”

Shedding light on audience reception, he added, “Seeing the audience accept it with such warmth and hearing that it made them smile is the biggest reward. It was the perfect way to end the year on a positive, happy note.”

Nivin Pauly’s 15-year-long career

In 2025, Nivin completed 15 years in the industry. Speaking about his career, he shared, “It has been an incredible journey of learning and unlearning. I view it with a lot of gratitude. Films like ‘Malarvaadi Arts Club,’ ‘Thattathin Marayathu,’ ‘Premam,’ and ‘Moothon’ are all crucial milestones. Each one taught me something different about cinema and myself.”

During the conversation, we further discussed if there was anything he would like to change about his journey so far, and he said, “Honestly, nothing.”

Every success gave me confidence, and every failure taught me resilience. The mistakes were just as serious as the hits in shaping who I am today. I believe everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to, so I wouldn’t change a thing,” expressed the actor.

What’s next for Nivin Pauly?

Last but not least, sharing details on his next projects, he said, “We have ‘Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai’ ready for release, which is a very unique creation from (director) Ram sir. Then there is ‘Dear Students,’ a fun commercial entertainer.”

“I’m doing a ruthless villain role in ‘Benz,’ which I’m very excited about. There is also ‘Baby Girl’ and a project with B. Unnikrishnan sir. Each film belongs to a completely different genre,” concluded the actor.