Pankaj Tripathi, known for his natural style and effortless improvisation, has shared a growing concern echoing across the film and web industry, the shrinking creative space on streaming platforms. In a recent conversation with Bollywood Hungama, the Mirzapur star said that the freedom once promised by OTT platforms has now turned into a maze of approvals, committees and restrictions.
Tripathi explained that the shift has been so drastic that he and his team decided to release their new series Perfect Family directly on YouTube. According to him, avoiding big platforms meant avoiding long creative routes filled with “layers of interference.” He said that large OTT services now involve multiple checkpoints from creative heads and legal teams to production audits all of which slow down and dilute the process. YouTube, he said, allowed the team to tell their story without constant scrutiny.
Sharing a personal incident, Tripathi revealed how much the environment has changed. Famous for improvising lines during takes, he recalled a recent day on set when he added a small dialogue on the spot. Instead of appreciating the spontaneity, a creative head stopped him immediately, saying the legal team needed to approve it first. Shocked, Tripathi questioned why harmless improvisations now require formal clearance.
He believes this new culture comes from a fear of controversy, leading platforms to pre-lock every creative choice long before the audience sees anything. According to him, this shift has reshaped how many OTT-backed projects are now made with caution overshadowing creativity.
