Entertainment

Sushmita Sen to Pankaj Tripathi: Bollywood stars who shone on OTT in 2020

OTT brought its own storytelling culture and, in turn, a new set of actors who would fit into such stories. Let us take a look at the actors who made their presence felt, and continue to stay alive in the minds of the audience, primarily owing to their work in the OTT space this year.
OTT brought its own storytelling culture and, in turn, a new set of actors who would fit into such stories. Let us take a look at the actors who made their presence felt, and continue to stay alive in the minds of the audience, primarily owing to their work in the OTT space this year.
OTT brought its own storytelling culture and, in turn, a new set of actors who would fit into such stories. Let us take a look at the actors who made their presence felt, and continue to stay alive in the minds of the audience, primarily owing to their work in the OTT space this year.
Online Desk
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2 min read
PRATIK GANDHI: Hansal Mehta's biographical drama, 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story' has turned around Pratik Gandhi's career. Primarily an actor in Gujarati theatre and cinema, no one quite kept track that Pratik had worked in a couple of Bollywood films such as 'Mitron' and 'Loveyatri'. Being Harshad Mehta changed all that. The role made him an overnight sensation. By his own confession, Pratik had thought the shoe would not be bingeable, given its business jargon-heavy dialogues. Yet it went onto become a sleeper hit, and Pratik, essaying 'Big Bull' or 'Amitabh Bachchan of Dalal Street', was an overnight star.
PRATIK GANDHI: Hansal Mehta's biographical drama, 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story' has turned around Pratik Gandhi's career. Primarily an actor in Gujarati theatre and cinema, no one quite kept track that Pratik had worked in a couple of Bollywood films such as 'Mitron' and 'Loveyatri'. Being Harshad Mehta changed all that. The role made him an overnight sensation. By his own confession, Pratik had thought the shoe would not be bingeable, given its business jargon-heavy dialogues. Yet it went onto become a sleeper hit, and Pratik, essaying 'Big Bull' or 'Amitabh Bachchan of Dalal Street', was an overnight star.
RASIKA DUGAL: From her intense avatar in 'Mirzapur 2' to her suitable stint in 'A Suitable Boy' to the comedy affair in 'Lootcase', Rasika dominated the OTT space this year and wowed viewers with her diverse roles. This year, her web series 'Delhi Crime' became the first Indian show to get an International Emmy. Now, she will soon be seen in the next season of 'Out Of Love', which revolves around marriage, infidelity and insecurity.
RASIKA DUGAL: From her intense avatar in 'Mirzapur 2' to her suitable stint in 'A Suitable Boy' to the comedy affair in 'Lootcase', Rasika dominated the OTT space this year and wowed viewers with her diverse roles. This year, her web series 'Delhi Crime' became the first Indian show to get an International Emmy. Now, she will soon be seen in the next season of 'Out Of Love', which revolves around marriage, infidelity and insecurity.
CHANDAN ROY SANYAL: He made waves all those years ago playing Shahid Kapoor's buddy in the 2009 release, 'Kaminey', and after doing the odd role in many Bollywood films for long, finally came on his own playing the vile Bhopa Swami in Prakash Jha's 'Aashram' this year. To Chandan's advantage, the series had two seasons in quick succession within the same year, letting the actor stay in popular imagination with assuredness. As the right hand man of the nefarious Kashipur wale Baba, played by Bobby Deol, Chandan has become a talking point character of the popular show. Fans can't wait for season three.
CHANDAN ROY SANYAL: He made waves all those years ago playing Shahid Kapoor's buddy in the 2009 release, 'Kaminey', and after doing the odd role in many Bollywood films for long, finally came on his own playing the vile Bhopa Swami in Prakash Jha's 'Aashram' this year. To Chandan's advantage, the series had two seasons in quick succession within the same year, letting the actor stay in popular imagination with assuredness. As the right hand man of the nefarious Kashipur wale Baba, played by Bobby Deol, Chandan has become a talking point character of the popular show. Fans can't wait for season three.
JITENDRA KUMAR: After dominating cyberspace with his viral videos, Jitendra arrived in the OTT scene with the hilarious satire series 'Panchayat', which has emerged as one of the surprise blockbusters of the year, and one of the most watched shows of 2020 on Amazon Prime Video. Jitendra was lauded for his portrayal of a young secretary of a Panchayat office in a remote village, a job he is forced to take up owing to circumstances. Also starring Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav and Chandan Sanyal, the show will get a second season.
JITENDRA KUMAR: After dominating cyberspace with his viral videos, Jitendra arrived in the OTT scene with the hilarious satire series 'Panchayat', which has emerged as one of the surprise blockbusters of the year, and one of the most watched shows of 2020 on Amazon Prime Video. Jitendra was lauded for his portrayal of a young secretary of a Panchayat office in a remote village, a job he is forced to take up owing to circumstances. Also starring Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav and Chandan Sanyal, the show will get a second season.
JAIDEEP AHLAWAT: He has been on the fringes of Bollywood with roles in films such as 'Rockstar', 'Gangs Of Wasseypur', 'Raees' and 'Raazi', but it was the role of an underrated police officer Hathiram, in 'Paatal Lok' this year that brought him to the limelight.
JAIDEEP AHLAWAT: He has been on the fringes of Bollywood with roles in films such as 'Rockstar', 'Gangs Of Wasseypur', 'Raees' and 'Raazi', but it was the role of an underrated police officer Hathiram, in 'Paatal Lok' this year that brought him to the limelight.
ABHISHEK BANERJEE: You might forget his appearance from 'Mirzapur', but you cannot ignore the deranged serial killer Hathoda Tyagi in 'Paatal Lok'. During lockdown, he entertained people with his sinister roles on OTT shows like 'Paatal Lok' and 'Kaali 2'. He has shared that the role and success of 'Paatal Lok' kept him busy through lockdown, and diverted his attention. He is also seen in the anthology film, 'Unpaused'.
ABHISHEK BANERJEE: You might forget his appearance from 'Mirzapur', but you cannot ignore the deranged serial killer Hathoda Tyagi in 'Paatal Lok'. During lockdown, he entertained people with his sinister roles on OTT shows like 'Paatal Lok' and 'Kaali 2'. He has shared that the role and success of 'Paatal Lok' kept him busy through lockdown, and diverted his attention. He is also seen in the anthology film, 'Unpaused'.
PANKAJ TRIPATHI: He doesn't belong to any particular box. He doesn't come with the conventional idea of a hero or a villain, yet he manages to outshine the GenNow brigade and emerge as the unlikely star of the OTT world. This year, he has showcased his brilliance as an actor in projects as diverse as 'Mirzapur 2', 'Ludo', 'Extraction', 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl' and ', 'Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors'.
PANKAJ TRIPATHI: He doesn't belong to any particular box. He doesn't come with the conventional idea of a hero or a villain, yet he manages to outshine the GenNow brigade and emerge as the unlikely star of the OTT world. This year, he has showcased his brilliance as an actor in projects as diverse as 'Mirzapur 2', 'Ludo', 'Extraction', 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl' and ', 'Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors'.
DIVYENNDU SHARMA: For OTT addicts, he is Munna bhaiya of 'Mirzapur', and that goes on to show the popularity of his role in the world of 'Mirzapur'. He got a headstart with his role of Liquid in the 2011 release, 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama', but it was Munna bhaiya in the web-series 'Mirzapur' that made him a household name, over two seasons. While season one of the show happened earlier, this year's second season brought his character to the centre of the story. Diveyenndu also impressed in web series 'Bicchoo Ka Khel' recently.
DIVYENNDU SHARMA: For OTT addicts, he is Munna bhaiya of 'Mirzapur', and that goes on to show the popularity of his role in the world of 'Mirzapur'. He got a headstart with his role of Liquid in the 2011 release, 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama', but it was Munna bhaiya in the web-series 'Mirzapur' that made him a household name, over two seasons. While season one of the show happened earlier, this year's second season brought his character to the centre of the story. Diveyenndu also impressed in web series 'Bicchoo Ka Khel' recently.
SUSHMITA SEN: The year marked Sushmita's comeback in the acting space, in a powerful role. She made her comeback through the web series 'Aarya', which is about how her character Aarya is pulled into the narcotics business when her family is threatened. Now, Sushmita looks forward to the second season of the show.
SUSHMITA SEN: The year marked Sushmita's comeback in the acting space, in a powerful role. She made her comeback through the web series 'Aarya', which is about how her character Aarya is pulled into the narcotics business when her family is threatened. Now, Sushmita looks forward to the second season of the show.
ARSHAD WARSI: His career in films had hit a plateau of sorts, and the web series 'Asur' happened earlier this year. The psychological thriller series clicked, and Arshad was suddenly back in the limelight, winning accolades of fans.
ARSHAD WARSI: His career in films had hit a plateau of sorts, and the web series 'Asur' happened earlier this year. The psychological thriller series clicked, and Arshad was suddenly back in the limelight, winning accolades of fans.
AMIT SADH: Amit Sadh created a unique record this year. He had three releases in the same weekend. The films 'Shakuntala Devi' and 'Yaara', and the web series 'Avrodh: The Siege Within' opened on July 30, barely 20 days after 'Breathe: Into The Shadows'. Amit, who has found success on television as well as the Bollywood screen, is focused on an OTT sojourn for now. His next release is the series 'Zidd'. He also has a series titled 'India Strikes: 10 Days'.
AMIT SADH: Amit Sadh created a unique record this year. He had three releases in the same weekend. The films 'Shakuntala Devi' and 'Yaara', and the web series 'Avrodh: The Siege Within' opened on July 30, barely 20 days after 'Breathe: Into The Shadows'. Amit, who has found success on television as well as the Bollywood screen, is focused on an OTT sojourn for now. His next release is the series 'Zidd'. He also has a series titled 'India Strikes: 10 Days'.
AAHANA KUMRA: After 'Lipstick Under My Burkha', Aahana found a way into the digital space, and has been exploring it since then. Her year started on a dramatic note with 'Marzi', which navigates the fading line between power, deception, and trust. She then went into the zombie zone with 'Betaal'. Aahana's upcoming OTT tryst is Rohan Sippy's sitcom show 'Sandwiched Forever', where she stars alongside Kunal Roy Kapoor. She also has a series coming up based on the French show 'Call My Agent', also featuring Soni Razdan, Rajat Kapoor, and Ayush Mehra.
AAHANA KUMRA: After 'Lipstick Under My Burkha', Aahana found a way into the digital space, and has been exploring it since then. Her year started on a dramatic note with 'Marzi', which navigates the fading line between power, deception, and trust. She then went into the zombie zone with 'Betaal'. Aahana's upcoming OTT tryst is Rohan Sippy's sitcom show 'Sandwiched Forever', where she stars alongside Kunal Roy Kapoor. She also has a series coming up based on the French show 'Call My Agent', also featuring Soni Razdan, Rajat Kapoor, and Ayush Mehra.
BOBBY DEOL: The actor has got a second chance to prove his skills, thanks to the digital domain. And he is making the most of it. He was seen as Dean Vijay Singh in the digital film 'Class Of '83', and in the successful series 'Aashram' by Prakash Jha. His role of a fraud godman in the crime drama 'Aashram' has been lauded by all.
BOBBY DEOL: The actor has got a second chance to prove his skills, thanks to the digital domain. And he is making the most of it. He was seen as Dean Vijay Singh in the digital film 'Class Of '83', and in the successful series 'Aashram' by Prakash Jha. His role of a fraud godman in the crime drama 'Aashram' has been lauded by all.
Mirzapur 2
Delhi crime
Sushmita Sen
Pankaj Tripathi
Amit Sadh
Paatal Lok
Jaideep Ahlawat
Abhishek Banerjee
Rasika Dugal
Bobby Deol
Aashram
scam 1992
Pratik Gandhi
Divyenndu Sharma
OTT 2020

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The New Indian Express
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