Barun Sobti returns to OTT with Kohrra 2, says 'TV Is a zabardast training ground, but OTT is where the writing excites me' - Exclusive

Barun Sobti

• Barun Sobti returns to OTT with Kohrra Season 2 after TV success
• He prefers OTT for deeper writing and creative freedom over TV's fast pace
• Barun prefers digital platforms for their layered roles and stories over TV.

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Barun Sobti was a popular name on TV with his hit show 'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?' with Sanaya Irani. But after the show's end on TV, the actor shifted his focus to OTT and the actor is now returning to the streaming platform with the second season of Netflix's hit show 'Kohrra.'

The actor, in an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol during his recent visit to Delhi, revealed the real reason for moving away from TV.

Barun Sobti says for him the conversation around television versus OTT isn’t about rejection but about evolution.

Barun spoke candidly about how television shaped him but also about the reason why he chose to step away from its relentless pace. He said OTT has opened doors to writing that genuinely excites him as a performer.

Barun is quick to acknowledge that television gave him everything an actor needs to survive in the industry.

"TV is a zabardast training ground; kisi bhi tareeke se TV ko underestimate nahi kar sakte,” he said.

ORR mein Rajj ke lihte hai : Barun 

Barun maintains deep respect for those who continue to do it year after year and says shooting every day, performing long scenes without breaks, and delivering consistently is no easy feat.

But he is more concerned about the nature of writing that television’s format enforces. Barun said one of the reasons for going away from TV was that characters lacked depth and layering. He said the pressure to deliver episodes day after day leaves little room for depth, character building or narrative experimentation in TV.

"Writers ko daily likhna hota hai; woh achcha nahi hota. Subah shaam kabhi nahi hota. Garam garam scenes aate hain aapke paas—ye lo and perform karo,” Barun told us in a candid conversation where he was joined by Mona Singh, Rannvijay Singha and Sudip Sharma.

And he feels that OTT, on the other hand, represents creative relief. Barun said he believes the biggest strength of digital platforms is that writers finally get the time and space to think, structure and polish their stories.

Also Read: Exclusive - Mona Singh on why she chose to move away from TV: 'I don't have the patience anymore to do that

“The good thing about the OTT shows is that ye log rajj ke likh rahe hai and good stories. It's more exciting to be a part of OTT shows,” he said.

Barun also pointed out that many actors from TV who have shifted to OTT like Ram Kapoor, Asha Negi, Kritika Kamra and others, are not dismissing the medium; they are simply ready for something different.

This creative philosophy is evident in his latest project, Kohrra, where he plays a conflicted, emotionally bruised character, ASI Garundi, far removed from the romantic leads that once defined his television image.

Barun Sobti's Career

Barun Sobti began his career on television with shows like Shraddha and Baat Hamari Pakki Hai before becoming a household name as Arnav Singh Raizada in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?. The success of the show turned him into one of Indian TV’s most popular stars but also marked the beginning of his desire to break away from repetitive formats.

Barun later shifted his focus to OTT with shows like Tanhaiyan, Asur, Halahal and Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke.

He has also appeared in films like Main Aur Mr. Riight, Tu Hai Mera Sunday and 22 Yards, and he chose character-driven projects over mainstream formulas.