Aashiesh Sharrma on the evolution of television: It has come full circle
Mumbai, May 02
Television actor Aashiesh Sharrma shared his views on the evolution of the television industry during an exclusive conversation with.
He pointed out that just like before, television is moving back towards finite storytelling formats, as the audience today prefers limited series.
Aashiesh further said that this change will play a crucial role in helping boost more meaningful content in the future.
He was asked, "How do you see the evolution of television today?"
To this, he shared, "Television has come full circle. Earlier, we had finite storytelling formats, and now we are returning to that structure. Audiences today prefer limited series with a clear beginning and end. This shift is encouraging better storytelling and more meaningful content."
Work-wise, Ashiesh plays a transgender person in the recently released drama, "Khejri".
During the interaction, he revealed what drew him towards the project.
Explaining his reasons, he said, "The first reason I chose Khejri was that it is based on a short story. My father had given me that story to read, and it stayed with me for many years. The story, titled Sanjha, deeply reflected the truth and emotions of society."
"What truly stood out was that stories about trans individuals are usually told from a very subjective lens. This was the first time I encountered a narrative that felt like a pure human journey. It was not influenced by conditioning or external perspectives. It was open, honest, and deeply personal," he went on to add.
Aashiesh shared that when he first read the script, he immediately felt a strong urge to bring it to life on screen.
"Instinctively, both the story and the character connected with me. This is not just the story of one trans person; it is a universal story about identity and belonging. Every individual struggles to find their place in society, and this narrative captures that journey beautifully," he concluded.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate his perspective on finite storytelling, but let's not pretend OTT platforms didn't push this change. TV channels are just catching up. Still, good on Aashiesh for choosing a meaningful role. Hope Khejri does justice to the transgender community's experiences.
True, television has evolved so much. I remember watching Doordarshan series like 'Malgudi Days'—finite episodes, each with a soul. Today's web series are kind of bringing that back, but with better production values. Aashiesh is spot on!
Good to see actors taking on challenging roles that break stereotypes. Transgender stories are often either melodramatic or preachy. Hope Aashiesh's performance in Khejri brings the nuance this topic deserves. And yes, finite series > endless reruns any day!
I'm skeptical. TV channels won't easily give up their cash cow long-running shows. But if actors like Aashiesh advocate for limited series, maybe there's hope. Also, 'Khejri' based on his father's story—that's sweet. Makes me want to check it out.
This is why I love OTT platforms—they don't drag stories. But Aashiesh is right: TV is following suit. And his choice of Khejri? Wow. A narrative about trans individuals as a universal human journey, not a spectacle. That's progressive. Hope it gets the audience it deserves!
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