Prejudice runs deep in Bollywood. Like television actors, YouTubers also face this bigotry. “They feel we can only make funny videos,” says Sahil Khattar, who made his web film debut with 200 Halla Ho and runs the YouTube channel, Khattarnaak. Determined to prove that they can act, and as more YouTubers, including Prajakta Koli, Ajey Nagar, and Bhuvan Bam, cross over, Khattar hopes to break the bias. He makes his Bollywood debut in Kabir Khan’s Christmas release, 83. “Things are changing with film folk now realising that YouTubers can do all sorts of roles. I remember during the auditions for another project, the producer had reservations and told me, ‘But you are a YouTuber’.”

Deepika Padukone with Sahil Khattar