Aahana Kumra: Storytelling today needs to be honest and brave

Actor Aahana Kumra believes the evolving content landscape is pushing creators to be more honest and fearless in their storytelling. Speaking about the shift, she said, “I think it’s very brave in today’s times. And you have to be brave. You can’t avoid going deeper anymore… We’re not skirting the line anymore. Audiences today are extremely smart… If you try to present a glorified version that doesn’t truly exist, people will… call it out. That’s why storytelling today needs to be honest and brave.”

She also spoke about her transition into production with Working Panda Films, adding, “As an actor, you move within a certain circle. But as a producer, the journey becomes much larger… I’m sure that journey will be even more exciting.”
Speaking on the sidelines of Content India 2026, a three-day industry gathering organized by Dish TV India that brought together over 700 voices from across platforms, studios and global markets to exchange perspectives on storytelling and the business of content, she said, “It’s one of the big platforms where everyone comes together… These are the platforms where key decisions are being shaped.”

Highlighting the learning from such spaces, Aahana added, “If you really pay attention, you take something back from each one of them… It adds so much.” On stepping into production, she shared, “When I tell them I’m producing, they’re genuinely happy… ‘Now you’ll understand the challenges actors face, and what the market really demands.’… this shift is giving me a whole new perspective.”