Recap 2023: Digital Debuts That Made The Streaming World Sit Up And Take Notice

Gone are the days when actors in India were divided into categories such as TV celebs and movie stars, Hindi actors and south Indian actors, superstars and parallel cinema actors. Now, they are just actors [for the most part, at least]. This is largely thanks to the growth of streaming platforms in the country. While mammoths like Baahubali, RRR and Jawan have bridged the gap between Bollywood and regional cinema, the advent of OTT platforms and their rise in the last few years has enabled our favourite celebrities to dabble in different storytelling formats. From Saif Ali Khan's leading role in Sacred Games to big projects like Gehraiyaan being released directly on OTT, the digital space has allowed artists to explore and grow. In the past few years, several actors have successfully made their debut on digital platforms. This year also saw OTT being the favoured space not only for some much-awaited debuts but also for veterans trying their hands at characters they had never done before. 

Here are 15 digital debuts that you just cannot afford to miss: 

1. Kareena Kapoor Khan in Jaane Jaan

It has often been said that Bollywood's quintessential superstar Kareena Kapoor Khan was born for the big screen. But Kareena proved she is just as effective in the digital space when she made her OTT debut with the mystery thriller Jaane Jaan. In it, Kareena played the role of a single mother caught up in a gruesome murder. Kareena's performance in the film and her chemistry with co-stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma garnered lots of love and appreciation.

2. Kajol in The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha

In the Indian adaptation of The Good Wife, Kajol plays a housewife, who is forced to return to work at a law firm after her husband – a judge – is arrested on corruption charges. As a woman dealing with a cheating spouse, public humiliation, competitive colleagues and teenage children, Kajol adds empathy and grit to her character, Noyonika Sengupta.

3. Prosenjit Chatterjee In Jubilee

Bengali stalwart Prosenjit Chatterjee also made his big OTT debut with Vikramaditya Motwane's Jubilee, a web series that taps into the history of Bollywood. The show's timeline starts a month before Indian independence and centres around the power struggle between film studios and the superstars they help create. Prosenjit plays Srikant Roy, a studio head, who while being passionate about cinema is also a ruthless businessman.

4. Shahid Kapoor in Farzi

Shahid Kapoor proved that he is a superstar even on OTT when the actor headlined Farzi. The thriller was directed and produced by Raj and DK and featured Shahid as a disillusioned artist who steps over to the dark side. In particular, Shahid's chemistry with legendary Amol Palekar – who played his grandfather in the series – was appreciated.

5. Karishma Tanna in Scoop

Karishma Tanna, a familiar face in Indian households thanks to her extensive work on television, had her breakout role on OTT in 2023. She headlined Scoop, a Netflix original based on the life of journalist Jigna Vora, who was accused of being involved in the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey. The Hansal Mehta directorial is the adaptation of Jigna Vora's book Behind The Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison.

6. Sonakshi Sinha in Dahaad

Sonakshi Sinna's filmography largely includes commercial potboilers. But she made a marked departure from her regular choices with Dahaad. In it, she plays an ambitious police officer from an oppressed community, often sidelined and belittled due to her caste identity. But Sonakshi's Anjali Bhaati is proud of who she is and where she comes from, making the character inspiring in more ways than one.

7. Tara Sutaria in Apurva

Tara Sutaria, known for her stellar looks and screen presence, made her OTT debut with Apurva, a violent survival story. In it, Tara plays a young woman who has been kidnapped by a dacoit gang in Chambal and tortured. The film is a tough watch given its violence but Tara's performance has earned her rave reviews.

8. Naga Chaitanya in Dhootha

Naga Chaitanya, one of Telugu cinema's most popular names, made his OTT debut with Dhootha. In the series, he plays a much-loved journalist whose life changes one fateful night. What follows is a series of tragedies that alter his life forever. The supernatural thriller has earned the actor massive praise.

9. Dimple Kapadia in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo 

Veteran actress Dimple Kapadia never ceases to surprise. In Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo, Dimple Kapadia plays the role of a matriarch who operates the largest drug cartel in South Asia. Yes, you read that right. Her team involves her two daughters-in-law and daughter. Speak about girl power!

10. Rana Daggubati in Rana Naidu

Rana Daggubati, best known for his role in the Baahubali franchise, made his big OTT series debut with Rana Naidu, the Indian adaptation of Ray Donovan. The series features the star as a "fixer of the stars," whose seemingly good life is toppled by the return of his estranged father.

11. Venkatesh Daggubati in Rana Naidu

Remember the estranged father who wreaks havoc in the life of Rana Daggubati in Rana Naidu. That character was played to perfection by Telugu superstar Venkatesh Daggubati, who is also Rana's uncle in real life. Venkatesh Daggubati, who has played the good-natured superstar hero to perfection for several decades, is seen mouthing expletives and playing the ruffian with the ease of a veteran.

12. Cast of Archies

The Indian adaptation of the iconic comic The Archies featured six young actors making their big debut. The Netflix film had Suhana Khan [daughter of Shah Rukh Khan], Agastya Nanda [grandson of Amitabh Bachchan], Khushi Kapoor [ Sridevi's daughter], Aditi Dot, Vendang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, and Yuvraj Menda played the lead roles in the fun, frothy drama.

13. Trinetra Haldar in Made In Heaven 2

After making history as one of India's first transgender content creators, Dr Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju made her acting debut with Made In Heaven season 2. Dr Trinetra impressed fans with her acting prowess as Meher Chaudhry, one of the few voices of reason on the show, set in the glitzy world of Indian weddings.

14. Maniesh Paul in Rafuchakkar

After wowing fans with his impeccable comic timing on stage for years, Maniesh Paul made his OTT debut with Rafuchakkar. In the comedy-heist TV series, Maniesh plays a conman with a bunch of tricks up his sleeve.

15. Cast of Class

Like The Archies, Netflix's Class also saw a bunch of young actors making their debut. The series is set in a fictional elite high school in Delhi, the show deals with issues such as caste and class inequality, homophobia, and religious discrimination, among other issues. The lead cast included fresh faces such as Piyush Khati, Madhyama Segal, Cwaayal Singh, Zeyn Shaw, Chintan Rachchh, Ayesha Kanga, Moses Koul and Chayan Chopra. 

Now, tell us which debut was your favourite.