Are web series taking the place of Indian television or movies?

Surjendu Ghosh
4 min readJun 3, 2021

While other firms may or may not find success in 2020, it has ushered in a new era in the history of web series. Are, on the other hand, Internet programs displacing Indian television or movies? It is false to claim that it has supplanted cinema. On the other hand, it has an unexpected influence on television programming. Indian members spent more than 50–60 minutes on the online platform than they did viewing regular television episodes, according to the statistics.

Counting the names of popular web series among Indians is a difficult task in and of itself. We might begin with Scam 1992, Sacred Games to the Panchayat, which attracted attention due to its simplicity. Ignoring the name Paatal Lok will be a sin in and of itself at this time. The key reason for these OTT platforms’ success is their realistic depiction of the characters. Ashram, for example, is a story that closely resembles this image. Other names I’d like to highlight include Mirzapur (the advertising for Mirzapur season 2 is great) and Special Cops, Arya, Tripling, Permanent Roommates, and a slew of others.

Shows on the internet vs. shows on television

One universal reality is that television shows have been delighting audiences for decades and will continue to do so in the future. Web series, on the other hand, appears to be a good alternative for the country’s teenage population. Youth are becoming dissatisfied with the same Saas-Bahu dramas and are turning to online series for a change of pace. These online series are beneficial to both the producer and the audience.

There is no time limit on the episode, so you may watch them all at once if you like; no censorship issues exist, and they are less expensive than television shows. If the public likes a show, the producers may be able to produce a second season sooner than planned. Furthermore, some television dramas prolong episodes by transforming women into snakes and other heinous monsters for the sake of entertainment, causing viewers to shun such shows.

Movies

With the shutdown of cinema halls/theaters, this lockdown has undoubtedly propelled online series into the spotlight. According to the data, the film industry may suffer a loss of roughly INR 30 billion as a result of the several projects that have been put on hold. However, we cannot argue that the movie frenzy is waning or that the business is on the verge of collapse. Never, ever, ever.

Even though movie theaters have been closed for a long period, moviegoers’ spirits have not been dampened for long. Films with a large budget were able to book their time on the internet. The Akshay Kumar-starred Laxmi Bomb, for example, grossed almost Rs. 125 crore at the movie office, making it a huge success. Whether it’s a film or a web series, each has its own dedicated and loyal audience.

Factors that Contribute to the Popularity of Web Series

With the expansion of the internet and social media, online series is reaching new heights in comparison to TV dramas, according to the data. Ask any adolescent if he’s recently watched any online series. The response is a resounding ‘yes.’ The contents of web series have become a hot issue for discussion because they are something that young people can easily relate to. If you’re concerned about your lack of language skills. Don’t worry, OTT platforms have you covered with features like numerous languages and subtitles. Its popularity has soared in a short period due to its user-friendliness.

When it comes to Indian subscribers, there are around 40 OTT outlets to select from on average. If subscribers have a phone and a stable internet connection, they can quickly acquire any of their favorite movies and entertainment in their native language. Web programs have spanned nearly every genre, including drama ( PatalLok ), comedy ( Panchayat ), crime ( Criminal Justice ), and more. It certainly understands how to keep its audience’s interest.

Overall, the online series appears to have a bright future ahead of it. Web series gives you stuff that will keep you riveted to your screen for the majority of the time. It has evolved into an ideal environment for content creators to express themselves fully. Movies are popular in their respective locations, whether they are acquiring an existing audience or creating a new one. But, sooner or later, online series will create their niche in the entertainment industry!

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