'We need to focus more on the art': Arjun Rampal calls out Bollywood's OTT franchise obsession

Time of India

17 hours ago

Arjun Rampal
has never been one to chase the herd. From his National Award-winning performance in
Rock On!!
(2008) to acclaimed roles in
Om Shanti Om
(2007),
Ra.One
(2011), and
Daddy
(2017), he has consistently gravitated towards complex, often morally grey characters. But despite the recognition and reinvention, the actor now finds himself questioning the industry's creative compass.
In a recent interview
The Indian Express Screen
, Rampal expressed concern over the
OTT boom
's shift from experimentation to exploitation.
'There's a lack of purity in our work nowadays. It's all about creating one franchise after another,'
he said, calling out the assembly-line approach that seems to be stifling originality.
Rampal, who was among the first mainstream actors to embrace OTT content, says the initial excitement has dulled.
'About 7–8 years ago, there was great writing. But maintaining that consistency is tough now. We need to focus more on the art, not just the product.'
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Undo
The Franchise Trap and 'Rana Naidu'
While promoting Season 2 of
Rana Naidu
, Rampal acknowledged that sequels aren't inherently problematic—provided they don't compromise narrative integrity.
'I appreciated how the team stayed true to Season 1 but created a new story altogether. That's the kind of continuation that works.'
He warned, however, against overextending concepts for the sake of marketability.
'If you force something that shouldn't be a franchise, you're bound to land in trouble,'
he said, advocating for artistic intention over algorithmic demands.
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A Career Built on Bold Choices
Rampal's filmography is rich with genre-bending choices—from the world tour stages of
Temptation
and
Heartthrob
, to his villainous turns in
Don
and
Ra.One
. His portrayal of Arun Gawli in
Daddy
, which he also produced, remains one of his most intense and well-received performances.
Over the years, the actor has worked with top filmmakers, from Prakash Jha in
Raajneeti
to J.P. Dutta in
Paltan
, and continues to push his boundaries in projects like the much-delayed
Panjab 95
. Based on a real-life story, the film has been stuck with the censor board.
'It's a beautiful story,'
Rampal said.
'We've put our heart and soul into it. I just hope it finds its way to the audience.'
A Glimpse Into What's Next
Rampal also teased his upcoming ensemble thriller
Dhurandhar
, alongside Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Akshaye Khanna. He called director Aditya Datt a visionary and said the film promises to be
'a ride worth waiting for.'
In an industry often driven by trends, Arjun Rampal's steady voice offers a rare reflection. For an actor who once ruled the ramp and now navigates the streaming space, his message is clear: it's time to return to storytelling with soul.