Published on: Dec 16, 2025 01:53 pm IST
Vikramaditya Motwane warns that Indian OTT faces a critical moment where creative ambition may be compromised by formulas.
Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane believes Indian OTT is at a dangerous inflection point — one where creative ambition risks being diluted by formulas and data.
“Let writers free,” Motwane said bluntly, addressing what he sees as OTT’s biggest current problem. “We have incredible writers and creators, but we’re starting to rein them in.”
Vikramaditya Motwane on Black Warrant
Discussing Black Warrant, Motwane explained how the show deliberately avoided spectacle-driven storytelling. “At its heart, it’s a workplace drama — it just happens to be set in a jail. We wanted viewers to care about people, not plot twists.”
Motwane acknowledged that OTT’s early years offered unparalleled freedom. “We pushed boundaries because we were denied that space in cinema for so long. Now there’s a risk of pulling back just when things were getting interesting.”
On Bads of Bollywood pushing the envelope
He stressed that experimentation is essential for the medium’s survival. “Why haven’t we pushed towards the edges more? Shows like Bads of Bollywood prove audiences are ready.”
The Ba***ds of Bollywood started streaming on Netflix on September 18. It is directed by Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan in his debut behind the camera. It has also clinched the title of IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Series of 2025.
The cast includes Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Manoj Pahwa, Mona Singh, Gautami Kapoor, Anya Singh, and Sahher Bambba. The show also has star-studded cameos. The show delves into the life of a charming outsider (Lakshya) as he navigates the glitzy yet challenging world of Bollywood.
The Just Too Filmy Best of OTT roundtable also featured Sameer Nair, Rasika Duggal, Kajol, Abhishek Banerjee, Bilal Siddiqui, and Nagesh Kukunoor. Watch the full episode on the Hindustan Times and Just Too Filmy YouTube channels.
