Shivani Raghuvanshi on OTT vs Cinema: ‘There Is Greater Acceptance on OTT’

Shivani Raghuvanshi has carved a niche for herself with performances across films, web series and short-format projects, proving that strong acting can leave an impact regardless of the size of a role. From Titli and Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain to Made in Heaven, Raat Akeli Hai, Murder in Mahim, Zindaginama and Dupahiya, the actress has consistently explored varied characters and stories. Having worked extensively in the OTT space, Shivani recently opened up about how streaming platforms differ from theatrical cinema and why certain kinds of stories find greater acceptance on OTT.

When asked what OTT has adopted that cinema perhaps still misses out on, Shivani said, “I don't think it's a matter of cinema refusing to adopt these things; rather, when you create something for theaters and want the audience to physically come to you, you have to be a bit more cautious. You have to be careful with your choice of subjects and consider their mass appeal, because people are making the effort to leave their homes to watch it. With OTT, however, since people are watching from the comfort of their homes, there is a diverse audience. You can explore all kinds of content—comedy, romance, or even themes that might not get the green light for a theatrical film—much more easily. You can also experiment with language. But I don't think this is happening simply because cinema won't adapt; I think it's because the theatrical audience might not accept certain things, whereas there is greater acceptance on OTT. That’s likely the reason.”

For Shivani, the difference is therefore less about cinema being unwilling to change and more about the expectations attached to the theatrical experience. When audiences make the effort to step out and buy a ticket, filmmakers have to think about the widest possible audience, while OTT allows viewers to discover content based on their individual interests. This flexibility has opened doors for unconventional subjects, different languages, intimate stories and characters that may not always fit the traditional theatrical formula.

The actress was also asked about the changing importance of star power in Bollywood, especially at a time when several films are finding audiences because of their stories rather than simply relying on established faces. Drawing a comparison between today's entertainment landscape and the era of iconic stars, Shivani said, “It was probably the same in the past—of course, you needed a cast—but now, given the sheer volume of content available, it seems to me that the 'star value' we used to see in earlier generations has perhaps diminished a bit. Personally, I don't find that particularly appealing. I feel that back when we looked up to certain icons—like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, or Katrina Kaif—there was a certain beauty to that dynamic, which is now fading.”

However, Shivani also believes that audiences naturally evolve with changing times and formats. She explained, “However, audiences evolve with time; just as OTT platforms and storytelling formats have evolved, so have viewer preferences. That explains the shift you mentioned—a greater inclination towards the story itself, perhaps because people have grown weary of the old tropes. I believe that whenever something new arrives, it generates a 'buzz'—that is the only real reason for it. It doesn't matter whether you cast famous faces or lesser-known actors; the story has always been paramount. Even in the past, people watched the films they could personally relate to.” Her comments underline how storytelling continues to remain at the heart of audience engagement, even as the way people discover and consume entertainment keeps changing.

Shivani has herself been part of this evolution, moving comfortably between theatrical films, television, short films and streaming projects. Her filmography includes Titli, Posham Pa, Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain, Raat Akeli Hai and Murder in Mahim, while her OTT work includes Made in Heaven, where she played the popular character Jaspreet “Jazz” Kaur, Zindaginama and Dupahiya, in which she played Roshni Jha. She has also appeared in projects such as Shockers, Jaan The Jigar, Jutti, The Shoe, Devi, Baatein and Comedy Circus. Across these projects, Shivani has continued to gravitate towards varied characters and stories, making her perspective on the changing entertainment landscape particularly interesting.

Facebook Comments