The Power of Influence - Creators & Audiences in The Spotlight at WAVES 2025

Time of India

05-05-2025

Manisha Koirala in 'Heeramandi'
On Day Two of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting's
WAVES Summit
, some of the most influential voices in entertainment came together to explore the dynamic relationship between audiences and creators, and how this interplay shapes the future of storytelling.
The panel featured
Monika Shergill
(Vice President-Content, Netflix India), Prerna Singh (CEO, SLB Productions), Sameer Nair (MD,
Applause Entertainment
) and actors Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime), Aditi Rao Hydari (
Heeramandi
: The Diamond Bazaar), and Zahan Kapoor (Black Warrant).
The conversation spotlighted the evolving balance between creative vision and audience demand, and how digital platforms are reshaping this relationship in real-time. From artistic risk-taking to fan-driven momentum, the panelists discussed the future of entertainment and the role of authenticity, cultural rootedness, and innovation in storytelling.
Talking about audiences Monika Shergill, Vice President- Content, Netflix India emphasized 'The audience is always telling us something—they want stories that reflect their lives, their aspirations, and sometimes, offer a beautiful escape. At Netflix, we've seen how the most personal, rooted stories can become global phenomena—Heeramandi is a perfect example. With all its grandeur, it still told a forgotten, deeply human story of women who shaped history. That's the magic of streaming—it brings together technology and creativity to take a story from a writing room to over 190 countries. But the real alchemy happens when a creator's passion meets a deep understanding of their audience. That's when a show isn't just watched—it's felt, shared, and remembered'
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Prerna Singh, CEO,
Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions
added, 'As a creator, you're also your first audience—you constantly wonder, will this work, or will it make history? Heeramandi began as an original story at our production house, initially conceived as a film. But once we read the material, it was clear it needed the scale and depth of a series. We poured everything into it—the cinematic grandeur, the Shahi Mahal, and the untold story of freedom that deserved its place in history. When it launched, the response was overwhelming—Heeramandi resonated in over 43 countries. From the very beginning, we had a strong conviction it would find its audience'
Talking about the importance of great storytelling, Sameer Nair, Managing Director, Applause Entertainment said, 'Everyone's a storyteller. But what storytellers need the most are story listeners. And the larger your group of story listeners, the more successful a storyteller you become. We often assume we know what the audience wants, or that the audience doesn't know what they want. But the truth is, all creators are also audiences. We are equally influenced by content, and then we proceed to tell the best story possible. The one thing that always works, every time, is going back to good storytelling. If there's a heartbreak on screen and it doesn't give you a lump in your throat, it's not good storytelling.'
Talking about her International Emmy winning show, actress Shefali Shah said, 'Every time I step in front of the camera, I feel like I'm starting from scratch—like I know nothing. That fear drives me. With Delhi Crime, we made a show we believed in, but I never imagined it would become what it did. And every time I return to that character, I'm terrified all over again. I don't pick roles by strategy—I'm drawn to what feels raw, honest, and real. If it doesn't strike a chord with me, I know it won't connect with anyone on the other side of the screen. That's the only way I know how to work'
Talking about the global sensation Heeramandi and how far and wide it travelled, Aditi Rao Hydari says, 'As an actor, I don't think in terms of film or series—it's always about stepping into a moment with honesty and letting it flow. That's where the magic lives. Streaming has made storytelling truly global—today, a performance rooted in one culture can resonate across continents. After Heeramandi released, I was in Cannes, then Italy and London, and people kept calling out, 'Bibbojaan!' They didn't always know my name, but they remembered what they felt. That's the power of a story well told—it travels, connects, and stays with people. Just like when a child listens to their grandmother's story—it's not about the technique, it's about the emotion it leaves behind'
Talking about his breakout series, Black Warrant actor, Zahan Kapoor, 'When we were making Black Warrant, we knew it wasn't the most obvious or glamorous story—it's set in Tihar Jail in the '80s, told from a jailer's point of view. But from the first screening, Netflix just got it. That kind of instant belief in the story was rare and special. As an actor, it's incredibly moving when someone comes up and says, 'Aap wahi ho na…Jailer?' It reminds me that even the quiet, difficult stories can leave a mark—and that audiences are ready to embrace all kinds of narratives, not just the larger-than-life ones.'