Bollywood actors are making their foray into the new medium. Here are some actors that are experimenting with themes
Bollywood is no longer shying away from the web as increasingly actors are exploring this genre. While initially only a select few explored the smallest of the screens, but things have changed over the last two years. While names like Sumeet Vyas who are a part of mainstream films like Veere Di Wedding and Nawazuddin Siddiqui too moving to the web, the lines have blurred between the two mediums. Here’s looking at some of the actors who will be debuting in their first-ever digital series this year.
Saif Ali Khan: From playing the metrosexual in most of his films, Saif Ali Khan has graduated to some very interesting roles. His character in Kaalakandi was applauded because it was very different from what the actor had done. Now, Saif has taken the big leap into the digital space by playing the lead for the Netflix Original Series, Sacred Games. It is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and is based on the novel by Vikram Chandra. The show releases mid this year.
Pankaj Tripathi: National Award Winner Pankaj Tripathi is currently busy with three back-to-back films in three different languages. He starred alongside Ammy Virk in Harjeeta, with Sanjay Mishra in Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain and will be seen alongside South Indian superstar, Rajnikanth in Kaala releasing next month. Currently the Newton actor is busy shooting for the BBC international remake of Criminal Justice. It stars Jackie Shroff and Vikrant Massey as well. Pankaj Tripathi will be debuting in two web series’ around the same time, Mirzapur and Criminal Justice.
Vir Das: India’s global phenomena in the comedy space, Vir Das, who recently signed two stand-up specials for Netflix and ABC’s crime drama Whiskey Cavaliers will also be making his official web series debut in Nikkhil Advani’s upcoming 10 part Netflix series titled Hasmukh. It’s a dark comedy written by Vir and Nikkhil and also marks Vir’s debut as a co-producer.
Radhika Apte: Radhika Apte, who was last seen with Akshay Kumar in the critically acclaimed Padman will soon make her web series debut in Netflix’s first Indian original web series directed by Vikramaditya Motwane called Sacred Games with Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Arunoday Singh: Arunoday Singh who received praise all around for his role opposite Irrfan Khan in Blackmail is currently busy shooting for the new Alt Balaji series, Apharan. He plays a cop-turned-criminal in the series and has been seen shooting around the bylanes of Rishikesh. The series stars web superstar, Nidhi Singh and is being directed by Siddhartha Sengupta.
Kalki Koechlin: Kalki Koechlin, who recently completed shooting for Zoya Akhtar’s musical drama Gully Boy, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in lead roles, will be making her web series debut with Smoke, starring Neil Bhoopalam, Mandira Bedi and Jim Sarbh, the web series is based on the Goan mafia and the politics of drugs.
We will see Kalki debuting as a Portuguese-Goan DJ in the series. Kalki said that they’ve shot at night and in places where it isn’t easy to put up cameras.