How many stars is too many? Anupama Chopra on A-listers and streaming platforms

As stars flood the series and films on India’s streaming platforms, I worry that the promise of fresh voices, innovative tales could be eclipsed, Chopra says.

On May 1, Sanjay Leela Bhansali will go small. Hindi cinema’s most visually opulent auteur will unveil his latest, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, on Netflix. The eight-episode series, about an elite house of courtesans in British India, is likely to be the streaming show of the year.

Teasers and songs (also composed by Sanjay) reveal that the size of the screen hasn’t impacted his storytelling. The director of landmark films such as Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmaavat (2018) and Gangubai Kathiawadi

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi premieres on May 1. ‘There is no downside to more hours of Sanjay. I can’t wait to lose myself in his flamboyant diamond bazaar. But I’m always rooting for new voices. May those also shine,’ Chopra says.

It’s a bonanza for viewers. But my fear is that the heavyweights of Hindi cinema might eventually stunt streaming. When they first debuted, OTT platforms were entertainment’s brave new world. Some event series still reflect this. Think of this year’s Malayalam series Poacher, featuring Nimisha Sajayan, directed by Richie Mehta, executive-produced by Alia Bhatt — with artful storytelling and a talent-first approach intact.

Will we still have inventive storytelling and brilliant new actors emerging if platforms increasingly rely on stars to break through the clutter?

A producer who didn’t want to be named said that too many gatekeepers are working on “borrowed conviction” rather than original thought, and on the premise that stars will lead to subscribers.

Vikram Malhotra, CEO of Abundantia Entertainment, which was among the earliest producers to bring stars to streaming with the series Breathe on Amazon (Season 1 starred R Madhavan and S2, Abhishek Bachchan) says that he endorsed this trend for the early days of streaming, to enable market penetration. But now, as the audience shows more confidence in accepting non-star faces in series, he adds, some amount of risk-taking, some amount of backing your gut and instinct and taking a chance on younger, newer actors could go a long way.

The truth is there is no downside to more hours of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I can’t wait to lose myself in his flamboyant diamond bazaar. But I’m always rooting for new voices. May those also shine.

(To reach Anupama Chopra with feedback, email feedbackforanu@gmail.com)