Q. What is the difference between web series and movies?
Comparing
Indian Web Series and Traditional Bollywood Films/TV Serials
The
rise of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hotstar
has transformed the way audiences consume content in India. These platforms
have given birth to a new wave of storytelling in the form of web series, which
offer a stark contrast to the traditional formats of Bollywood films and TV
serials. By analyzing two web series from popular platforms, we can delve into
how they differ from the conventional world of Bollywood and TV in terms of
storytelling, character representation, and production quality. Furthermore, by
understanding the changing habits of regular OTT viewers, we can better
appreciate the shift in content consumption in recent years.
Storytelling
in Web Series vs. Bollywood Films and TV Serials
One
of the most noticeable differences between web series and traditional Bollywood
films is the approach to storytelling. In the case of Bollywood films, there
has traditionally been a focus on delivering a tightly-knit narrative within a
span of two to three hours. These films typically revolve around high-concept
stories filled with dramatic highs and lows, often leaning into emotional or
formulaic storytelling.
In
contrast, web series offer much more room for nuanced, layered, and long-form
storytelling. This extended format allows creators to build more intricate
plots and explore characters over the course of several episodes or seasons.
For example, in the case of the web series Sacred Games (Netflix),
viewers are presented with a multi-layered narrative that spans multiple
timelines, weaving together personal stories, historical contexts, and social
issues. This complexity would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve in a
traditional Bollywood film, which often requires a faster-paced, more linear
approach to storytelling.
Similarly,
Mirzapur (Amazon Prime) offers a gritty crime drama that explores power,
corruption, and familial ties in a fictional Indian town. Its storytelling is
spread across several episodes, allowing the narrative to evolve in unexpected
directions. The slow-burn nature of the plot, which gradually unveils various
facets of its characters, is something more commonly seen in television formats
rather than films.
In
comparison, Bollywood films typically prioritize the emotional arcs of
characters within a limited timeframe. While films like Kabir Singh or Gully
Boy showcase character-driven stories, they are constrained by their 2-3
hour run time, forcing a quicker resolution of conflicts and character
evolution. While there are a few exceptions, such as Barfi! or Zindagi
Na Milegi Dobara, the predominant focus in Bollywood is often on a
fast-paced narrative designed to cater to a wide audience.
Indian
TV serials, on the other hand, tend to follow a formulaic and episodic
structure, often featuring over-the-top melodrama, emotional storylines, and
long-running plots. These serials are designed to be more accessible to a mass
audience, with repetitive plots and conflicts that span years. The episodes are
often predictable, focusing on family dynamics, societal norms, and
relationships.
In
contrast, OTT web series like The Family Man (Amazon Prime) offer a
fresh perspective on complex themes like geopolitics, terrorism, and personal
sacrifice while maintaining an engaging narrative. The content is often more
layered, mature, and unpredictable, reflecting a departure from the conventional
TV serial format.
Character
Representation in Web Series vs. Bollywood Films and TV Serials
Character
representation is another area where Indian web series often differ
significantly from traditional Bollywood films and TV serials. Bollywood, for
the longest time, has been known for its larger-than-life characters, with
heroes and heroines embodying ideals of perfection and morality. Villains are
often one-dimensional, and women are frequently relegated to the role of the
romantic lead or an object of desire.
However,
OTT platforms have allowed for a more diverse and nuanced portrayal of
characters. In web series, characters are allowed to be flawed, complicated,
and multifaceted. In Sacred Games, for example, the central character of
Sartaj Singh, played by Saif Ali Khan, is a morally ambiguous, self-loathing
police officer struggling with his professional and personal life. Similarly, Mirzapur
features characters like Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi), whose evolution from
a ruthless crime lord to a man grappling with his conscience adds depth to the
narrative. These characters are allowed to make mistakes, confront their
demons, and evolve over time, providing audiences with more realistic and
relatable portrayals.
In
Bollywood films, this level of complexity is often harder to find. Films tend
to favor clear-cut character arcs, with heroes and heroines who overcome their
personal flaws to emerge victorious. Even in movies that try to address darker
or more complex issues, the characters often end up following a predictable
trajectory. For example, in films like Dangal or Piku, while the
characters are well-rounded and complex, the structure of the film does not
allow for the kind of long-term character exploration seen in web series.
Indian
TV serials, on the other hand, tend to feature characters that are often
stereotyped and lack depth. The focus is typically on dramatic relationships,
family conflicts, and emotional struggles that are intended to resonate with a
broad audience. While some TV serials have ventured into more realistic
depictions of family life, they still lean heavily on melodrama and repetitive
tropes.
Web
series like Delhi Crime (Netflix) or Made in Heaven (Amazon
Prime) depict characters grappling with societal expectations, personal dilemmas,
and systemic corruption. These characters are often more grounded in reality,
facing challenges that resonate with the modern viewer. Women, in particular,
have a more substantial role in web series compared to their portrayal in
traditional Bollywood films, where they are often secondary to the male
protagonist’s journey. In Made in Heaven, for instance, women are shown
as multi-dimensional characters with their own personal struggles, desires, and
growth, unlike the stereotypical romantic leads in Bollywood.
Production
Quality in Web Series vs. Bollywood Films and TV Serials
The
production quality of Indian web series has also seen a significant leap
compared to traditional Bollywood films and TV serials. The advent of platforms
like Netflix and Amazon Prime has led to a shift in the way content is
produced, with an emphasis on high production values, global appeal, and
international standards.
In
terms of cinematography, editing, and direction, web series like Sacred
Games and Paatal Lok (Amazon Prime) are on par with high-quality
international television shows. These series boast cinematic visuals, intricate
set designs, and top-notch technical expertise, which elevate the storytelling.
The budgets allocated for these series, while smaller than that of blockbuster
Bollywood films, are still substantial enough to allow for impressive
production quality that matches the demands of a global audience.
Bollywood
films, on the other hand, have historically been more focused on glamour,
spectacle, and star power, often leading to a mismatch between the production
value and the substance of the story. While films like Bajirao Mastani
or Padmaavat showcase extraordinary production values, many films fail
to deliver when it comes to subtlety, realism, and depth in their production
choices. Bollywood films also tend to follow a formulaic approach in terms of
music, choreography, and visual effects, often prioritizing commercial appeal
over creative innovation.
Indian
TV serials, traditionally produced on much lower budgets, often lack the same
level of polish. The use of artificial lighting, exaggerated set designs, and
melodramatic music is common in many serials, which can detract from the
overall viewing experience. While some channels have improved production
quality, Indian TV serials still lag behind when compared to the high standards
set by OTT platforms.
Changing
Viewing Habits of OTT Audiences
The
rise of OTT platforms has drastically altered the viewing habits of audiences
in India. The flexibility of on-demand streaming allows viewers to watch
content whenever and wherever they choose, without the restrictions of
scheduled programming. As a result, viewers no longer need to adhere to the
rigid time slots dictated by TV serials. This shift has allowed for a more
personalized viewing experience, where binge-watching entire seasons of a web
series in one sitting has become a common activity.
To
understand how OTT has changed viewing habits, I spoke to Ravi, a regular
viewer of web series. Ravi shared that he used to watch a lot of TV serials and
Bollywood films but switched to platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime for the
sheer variety and quality of content. He mentioned that the ability to
binge-watch entire seasons of a series allows him to get deeply involved with
the characters and plotlines. He also highlighted that the mature themes,
better writing, and more realistic portrayals of characters are major reasons
why he prefers web series over traditional films and TV shows. According to
Ravi, the international content available on these platforms, such as Money
Heist and Stranger Things, has further broadened his tastes in
entertainment.
Furthermore,
OTT platforms provide content in multiple languages and genres, appealing to a
wider demographic. While Bollywood films and TV serials often cater to a
specific audience, OTT platforms offer more diverse and inclusive programming,
from comedy and drama to crime thrillers and documentaries. The accessibility
of international content and the global reach of platforms like Netflix has
also exposed Indian viewers to storytelling styles and cultures from around the
world, influencing their expectations from Indian web series.
Conclusion
The transformation in Indian entertainment, driven by the success of OTT platforms, has ushered in a new era of storytelling, character development, and production values. Web series provide an opportunity for more nuanced, long-form narratives that traditional Bollywood films and TV serials cannot match. With more complex characters, realistic portrayals, and high production quality, these series have redefined the way Indian audiences engage with entertainment. As viewers' habits evolve, the demand for diverse, globally competitive content continues to shape the future of Indian storytelling on digital platforms.
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