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'It's sad people can get so negative'

January 09, 2021 11:28 IST

'I try to spread positivity in whatever way I can.'

Photograph: Kind courtesy Saiyami Kher/Instagram

We saw a lot of Saiyami Kher on the OTT platform in 2020, and we loved every moment of her performances in well-reviewed Web series like Special Ops and Breathe: Into The Shadows as well as the films Choked and Unpaused.

Saiyami tells Subhash K Jha, "I was overwhelmed that people at home watched my work and liked it."

How did 2020 treat you?

It was a year that took so much away from all of us.

Everyone went through some kind of loss.

It gave us no choice but to lie back and introspect.

It taught to me to be more grateful and to start living in the present because everything is so uncertain.

On a professional front, I had four releases -- Special Ops, Choked, Breathe 2, Unpaused.

I was overwhelmed that people at home watched my work and liked it.

IMAGE: Saiyami Kher and Abhishek Bachchan in Breathe: Into the Shadows. Photograph: Kind courtesy Saiyami Kher/Instagram

Has the OTT opened up new avenues for talented actors like you?

The OTT platform has given more opportunities to the entire entertainment industry, be it actors, writers or technicians.

Actors, who are not considered 'bankable,' were still backed by the OTT platforms and makers.

Do you prefer OTT over cinema?

For me, it can never be theatres versus OTT.

They will happily co-exist and give actors from the space to work in both.

Some films are meant for the big screen and will continue to give us a different kind of happiness.

We are seeing big stars doing OTT content because they also believe that this is the future.

 

Photograph: Kind courtesy Saiyami Kher/Instagram

Which shows did you enjoy, besides your own?

In 2020, we saw a lot of good content coming out.

From Paatal Lok to Scam, Gulabo Sitabo to a film like Serious Men .

The range in content was so vast!

Two actors, who really stood out for me were Pratik Gandhi from Scam and Jaideep Ahlawat in Paatal Lok.

What about the upsetting death count of legends this year?

Like I said before, we all faced losses this year. Almost every family has suffered losses.

And the film industry was jolted with way too many losses.

Actors, who were so loved and talented, went too soon.

They will always leave a void in every film lover. But they will live on through their work.

IMAGE: Saiyami Kher in Wild Dog. Photograph: Kind courtesy Saiyami Kher/Instagram

How do you deal with toxicity on social media?

It's sad that people can get so negative and spew so much venom.

I don't let it bother me because I can't change the world.

Personally, I try to spread positivity in whatever way I can. That's the only thing I can do.

Your plans for this year?

My plan, first and foremost, is to not forget the lessons 2020 has taught me.

I have a Telugu film Wild Dog releasing with Nagarjuna as my co-star, and I'm shooting for three other projects.

The aim is to continue to do good work and to do things that make me happy.

SUBHASH K JHA