Prakash Ramchandani: OTT gives actors the creative freedom television doesn’t

Last seen in Gehna: Zewar Ya Zanjeer, Prakash Ramchandani has spent over two decades in the television industry, with more than 100 shows to his credit, including Udann, Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, Devanshi, Choti Sarrdaarni and Mera Balam Thanedaar. Having witnessed the medium evolve closely, the actor believes that while television has grown financially, its creative foundation has weakened over the years. Sharing his perspective on the frequent shutdown of shows today, Prakash says that the problem lies in storytelling. He says, “Television has seen massive growth in terms of revenue, and the money flow today is far greater than it was two decades ago. However, despite this financial progress, the quality of content has gone down. Most shows no longer follow a clear or consistent storyline.” He explains that narratives are often altered impulsively. He shares, “Stories are constantly changed based on TRP ratings, which results in inconsistent tracks and poorly justified character arcs. A major reason for this decline is the excessive involvement of too many people in the creative and direction departments. As they say, too many cooks spoil the broth. Writers are left with very little creative freedom to develop stories organically, and eventually the audience disconnects. That leads to poor reception and shows shutting down prematurely.” Prakash also points to changes in casting practices as a concern. He says, “Casting decisions today often prioritise social media following, especially when channel creatives lack hands-on experience of television. This approach has affected seasoned actors who may not be active online, but more importantly, it has impacted the quality of shows.” He adds, “Actors with a strong online presence but limited understanding of acting or the television medium are often cast. This ultimately results in poorly received or unsuccessful productions.” In contrast, Prakash finds the OTT space far more fulfilling creatively. He says, “I enjoy working in OTT because it offers greater creative freedom and sensibility. The platforms allow diverse storytelling without the traditional constraints of television. OTT connects with a wider, global audience and gives creators the space to tell stories honestly. As viewing habits change and technology evolves, OTT continues to redefine storytelling and, in many ways, represents the future of entertainment.”