There is lot more breathing space in OTT: Himanshi Choudhry

The success of digital space in the times of the pandemic not only provided a fresh indulgence for millions of audiences but also allowed many actors to redefine their journey. With series like 'Out Of Love', 'Hostages', 'Inside Edge' among others, Himanshi Choudhry has explored many untouched shades of her acting with recent portrayals, the latest being in ‘The Great Indian Murder’.

She shares thoughts on nepotism, OTT and a lot more in a candid chat with THE WEEK.

Q/ OTT has proven that content is king. Do you find it to be a more thought-provoking medium?

Content has always been king. What OTT platforms do is give the viewers the choice to watch things at their own time, space and convenience. People still watch television and people still go to theatres to watch films and content is king there as well. However, OTT has opened up a different kind of storytelling. And it is indeed exciting for me to be a part of that change that is happening.

Q/ How do you see the debate on nepotism? How do you think things will change with the rise of the digital space?

I feel the topic of nepotism should come to an end now. Everyone uses the word far too carelessly nowadays. The fact of the matter is if my parents were from the film industry, and I chose to follow their lead and use their contacts to get work, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. I feel nepotism is not something that one needs to talk about in this day and age where there is a huge variety of work available, particularly due to the OTT boom. Bahut kaam hai aur sabko kaam milega (there’s a lot of work and everyone will get work) if you have the talent, patience and perseverance for it.

Q/ Being a longer format, does OTT allow an actor to learn and unlearn at a greater pace?

For sure, yes. You have the opportunity to delve deep, you do not have time restraints. The writers also evolve with the seasons and they think of different ways of taking the story forward. That’s what TV really is; you are not bound by a 2 to 3 hours narrative. There is a lot more breathing space while you are doing a longer format and I enjoy that. I enjoy the pauses because the ensemble is as important as you are.

Q/ “To be a complete actor one must have a fair experience of exploring both, positive & negative roles.” What’s your view on it?

I do not know whose quote that is but I agree. Everyone should explore all roles. A role is a role, doesn’t matter if it has a positive connotation or negative. The journey should be about an actor being content with the kind of work they are doing. Telling stories that matter is important and if one is happy with the character, he/she is portraying then that’s all that counts.

Q/ Having been in the industry for over two decades now, what have you learnt the hardest way, professionally?

Having joined the industry at a time when I was extremely young and also not well-guided financially, I learnt the hard way how to deal with finances, because as an actor, our paychecks are not monthly, they are project based. It has taken me a decade or probably more to understand how to set my finances aside to keep the household running and to save for the future as well. Besides, understanding the market value of an actor has also been a journey in itself. I learnt that really late in my career.

Q/ What lies ahead on the work front?

In the pipeline for me is Six Suspects, helmed by director Tigmanshu Dhulia and Ajay Devgn Productions. It's the adaptation of Vikas Swarup’s novel into a web series. I am also playing a pivotal role in Anurag Kashyap’s film Dobaaraa. Currently, I am working on a project in London.

Q/ Best thing about being into acting?

The best thing about being an actor is it allows me to play different kinds of characters which are way more interesting than I am. Being an actor gives you the opportunity, over and over again, to empathise and sympathise with all sorts of people. It is an extremely spiritual journey for me to be able to let go of myself and my ego to portray someone who is not me at all.