Actor Manoj Bajpayee believes OTT platforms have created new opportunities for actors who struggled to find space in mainstream Bollywood, allowing them to earn recognition, secure substantial roles and maintain their lifestyles.

He said streaming platforms have helped many male actors who were previously overlooked by mainstream cinema receive the respect and professional opportunities they deserve, according to an IANS report.

Bajpayee, while speaking to IANS in an interview, dwelt on the changing entertainment landscape and the growing opportunities for actors on streaming platforms.

He observed that several performers who did not get adequate opportunities in mainstream films are now finding meaningful roles and greater recognition through OTT.

“Look at the actors who could not even get rightly consumed earlier. Male actors could not even get consumed by mainstream cinema. They are getting so much respect on OTT,” Bajpayee said.

He added that the opportunities offered by streaming platforms have also helped actors maintain their lifestyles and achieve greater financial comfort.

According to him, the increasing availability of roles on OTT has made a difference to performers who previously struggled to find consistent work in mainstream cinema.

“As a keen observer of the situation, I would say that with OTT, things have been very, very frequent,” the actor said, reflecting on how streaming platforms have changed the frequency of opportunities available to performers.

Throughout his career, Bajpayee has earned acclaim for portraying complex and unconventional characters, often choosing roles that challenge the traditional image of a mainstream Bollywood hero.

His performances include Bhiku Mhatre, the volatile gangster in ‘Satya’, and Sardar Khan in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’. He also received recognition for playing Professor Ramchandra Siras in ‘Aligarh’ and the ageing police constable in ‘Bhonsle’.

On the streaming front, his portrayal of intelligence officer Srikant Tiwari in ‘The Family Man’ further demonstrated his ability to balance action, humour and the everyday challenges of an unconventional protagonist.

The series has been an important part of his work in the OTT space.

More recently, Bajpayee appeared in ‘Gajab Raat’, a suspense thriller starring Divya Dutta, in which he plays a police officer.

Produced by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Ritesh Shah, the film premiered on Netflix on October 23.

Bajpayee’s comments highlight how the growth of OTT platforms has expanded opportunities beyond conventional theatrical cinema, giving actors more avenues to showcase their talent and build sustainable careers.