OTT is not solely dependent on stars for return on investment: Samvedna Suwalka

Samvedna Suwalka, who played a negative role in the recent web series Gyaarah Gyaarah, loved the experience. She tells us, “Working with Umesh (Bist) sir was a blessing. In the previous show with them (the makers), I played a good-natured cop. But in this show, I played a psychopathic villain, which happens to be my first negative role. It was very liberating as an actor to play something so far removed from my personality; it was fun.” Samvedna, who has done OTT projects like Dil Dosti Dilemma, Jubilee and Jee Karda, shares, “In Honeymoon Photographer, my new show, I am back to playing a cop after playing a murderer in Gyaarah Gyaarah. OTT has been a game changer for actors like me. It allows the kind of storytelling where you are not entirely dependent on stars for return on investment. It is more real and so, actors like me can get cast.” She adds, “Good storytelling wins on every medium. On OTT, there are different shows to cater to all kinds of audience. Viewers now have exposure to varied storytelling from across the globe. You can’t really plan your career till you become a star; you just keep auditioning and working. Depending on your instinct, you say yes or no to the projects offered to you. For me, the medium or language has never been a barrier.” Samvedna, who has done four Gujarati films till date (Nikki, Natsamrat, Bey Yaar and Happy Familyy Pvt Ltd), feels, “Gujarati cinema is getting bigger and better; there is so much scope now. I am in talks for a Gujarati film and it seems unusual and exciting. I hope it works out. I am glad that my film Bey Yaar was rereleased in theatres; it’s such a beautiful movie! Currently, there seems to be a trend of films rereleasing as nostalgia is a big hit with the audience. It reflects human psychology, where we remember our past more fondly. However, it probably also says something about the current state of the film industry.” Samvedna, who has also done Bollywood films like Fighter and Drishyam 2, adds, “In Fighter, I got to dance with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Working with some of the biggest stars, and director Siddharth Anand, was a joyride.” The actress will be seen playing a double role in her upcoming film Bicycle Thief. She says, “I am excited, and it is Darshan (Ashwin Trivedi) sir’s passion project. All of us have worked really hard and it was a very challenging role. But it was gratifying; it unlocked something in me and opened up a whole new world inside me. I hope the audience loves it.”