Saiyami Kher had a brilliant OTT resurrection with her sterling performances in Special Ops, Breathe 2, Unpaused and specially Choked. She tells Subhash K Jha what it was like to work through the Covid and what she expects from 2021.
How did the last year treat you?
2020 was a year that took so much away from all of us. Everyone went through some kind of loss last year. It gave us no choice but to lie back and introspect. It taught to me to be more grateful and made me actually starting living in the present because everything I realised was so uncertain. On a professional front I had 4 releases Special Ops, Choked, Breathe, Unpaused and was overwhelmed that people at home watched my work and like it.
Has the OTT opened up new avenues for a talented actor like you?
The OTT platform has given more opportunities to the entire entertainment industry. Be it actors, writers technicians. Actors who are not considered ‘bankable’ were still backed by OTT platforms and makers if they felt they were right for the part.
Do you prefer OTT over cinema?
For me it can never be theatres versus OTT. They will both happily co-exist and give actors from both the spaces to work in either or. Some films are meant for the big screen and will continue to give us a different kind of happiness. We are seeing big stars doing OTT content because they also believe this is the future.
Which shows on OTT did you enjoy besides your own?
In 2020 we saw a lot of good content coming out. From Patal Lok to Scam, Gulabo Sitabo to a film like Serious Men. The range in content was so vast! Two actors who really stood out for me were Pratik Gandhi from Scam and Jaideep Ahlawat in Patal Lok.
What about the massive death count of legends this year?
Like I said before we all faced losses this year.Almost every family has suffered losses. And the film industry was jolted with way too many losses. Actors who were so loved and so talented went too soon. They will always leave a void in every film lover. But they will live on through their work.
How do you deal with toxicity on social media?
It’s sad that people can get so negative and spew so much venom. I don’t let it bother me because I can’t change the world. So I personally try to spread positively in whatever way I can. That’s the only thing I can do.
Your plans for this year?
For 2021my plan first and foremost is to not forget the lessons 2020 has taught me. I have a Telugu film Wild Dog releasing with Nagarjuna as my co-star, and I’m shooting for three other projects. The aim will is to continue to do good work and continue to do things that make me happy.
Image source: Instagram/saiyami