‘I won’t direct a series when a platform tells me how to direct’: Actor-director Ananth Mahadevan on OTT

Ananth Mahadevan plays former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’. Pics/Instagram

Operation Safed Sagar is Ananth Mahadevan's second web series of the year after Daldal. Interestingly, the actor-director has yet to helm an OTT series. There's a good reason for that. "I have thought of directing for the web, but I will not direct a series when a platform tells me how to direct it," he told mid-day.

The strong stance comes from years of observation as he acted in four to five series. Almost each set showed him that the director unfortunately had little creative control of their material. "They are all good directors. It's a three-year project for them. In the first year, they write and rewrite. Second year, they shoot and reshoot. Third year, they edit and re-edit. When the show comes out, they're gasping for breath," he shared.

A still from Operation Safed Sagar

Citing an example of a series he shot a few years ago, Mahadevan recalled, "We did a great scene. Somebody sent the scene to the [streamer], then a person from the streamer came to reshoot that scene. I don't understand. These are not filmmakers; they have to prove and earn their salaries. Why do they do this to directors, who have a reputation and track record?"

Admittedly, the filmmaker has a few subjects for long format shows, but he is "petrified" of approaching platforms. He said, "Their development [of material] goes into redevelopment faster than the buildings in Mumbai. I'd rather be acting in web series than directing them."