At a time when the Indian content ecosystem is rapidly evolving, actor Aahana Kumra, known for her work in Lipstick Under My Burkha, The Accidental Prime Minister, and web series such as Marzi and Avrodh, believes storytelling today is demanding a new level of honesty and courage from creators.
When asked about storytelling evolving for actors in today’s content-driven landscape, she expressed, “I think it’s very brave in today’s times. And you have to be brave. You can’t avoid going deeper anymore. People really want to engage with stories at a deeper level now. Like in Dhurandhar, Aditya has this fantastic line. We’re not skirting the line anymore. Audiences today are extremely smart. Everything is available at their fingertips, on YouTube and across platforms. So if you try to present a glorified version that doesn’t truly exist, people will research it and call it out. That’s why storytelling today needs to be honest and brave. It’s also about being on a level playing field. It doesn’t matter if someone is younger or older. You approach it with the mindset that you’re here to learn. And if you learn it right, you can do it just as well as anyone else. It’s all about perspective.”
The actor, who has also stepped into production with her Mumbai-based banner Working Panda Films, spoke about how the shift is expanding her creative lens. “As an actor, you move within a certain circle. But as a producer, the journey becomes much larger. And I’m sure that journey will be even more exciting.”
Speaking on the sidelines of Content India 2026, a three-day industry gathering organized by Dish TV India that brought together over 700 voices from across platforms, studios and global markets to exchange perspectives on storytelling and the business of content, Aahana reflected on the value of such spaces, saying, “I have to say, Content India, organized by Dish TV India, is one of the big platforms where everyone comes together, whether it’s Netflix, Amazon or Google. These are the platforms where key decisions are being shaped, and you have production house heads and industry leaders all speaking on one stage.
“It’s the kind of place where, if you really pay attention, you take something back from each one of them. It adds so much, especially when you’re listening to people who’ve had such long careers. There’s also a reason why they remain so humble. I’ve had a very different equation with many of them over the years as an actor, and I’ve worked with most of them. A lot of them recognise me, and I’ve shared that professional relationship with them,” she added.
She concluded, “But what’s really nice now is that when I tell them I’m producing, they’re genuinely happy and excited about it. They often say, ‘Now you’ll understand the challenges actors face, and what the market really demands.’ All my years in acting, I feel like this shift is giving me a whole new perspective.”