Sehban Azim: Spy Bahu was supposed to be a web show

As the lines between television movies and OTT offerings are fast blurring actors are having a field day exploring newer stories without worrying about TRPs or boxoffice returns Sehban Azim has yet to test the waters of digital entertainment but he believes that the OTT boom has had a ripple effect on television Fronting Spy Bahu the actor discusses identifying with the ldquoaloofrdquo character and how his wish of going back to Kashmir was realised through the showEdited excerpts from the interviewWhat was your first reaction on reading the scriptHonestly it took me a while to read the script as I was travelling to Kashmir I wasnrsquot taking any work calls because I needed a break after working for three years on Tujhse Hai Raabta But the makers kept calling asking me to meet or send them an audition video After oneandahalf months when I finally read the script I wondered what took me so long to take it up Spy Bahu is a different story altogether They wanted to cast me because the character was a lot like me ndash he is a traveller he is aloof and distances himself from the world laughs The makers told me that they were contemplating on starting the story in Kashmir I believe it was some kind of manifestation because I wanted to go back to Kashmir ever since I returned from the holidaySana Sayyad and Sehban Azim in Spy BahuWhat did you find challenging about playing Yohan NandaThe most difficult part was showing my hatred towards my onscreen father Irsquom good with romance and emotions but to depict animosity towards his characterrsquos father isnrsquot easyDo you think the show would fare better on an OTT platform as a limited seriesI believe good content works everywhere whether it is a film TV or web seriesThe OTT boom has compelled filmmakers and TV show creators to up their game Do you agreeThe OTT boom has added more content and given people a platform to explore projects without worrying about roping in a star Now the television industry wants to buck up and make better content Spy Bahu is one of those examples It was supposed to be a web show initially Irsquom sure even filmmakers feel they need to up their game if they want to draw audiences to the theatresYou have been working in television since 2009 Did monotony never bother youI donrsquot remember what Irsquove done before that keeps me going laughs On a serious note I have portrayed different characters They might showcase similar emotions but every character will emote it differently depending on the story and where he comes from So Irsquove never found it monotonous Even if I feel so the idea is to change the pattern I change it by taking long breaks from workWhen you go for auditions for a movie or a series do you face prejudice for being a TV actorThe prejudice is reflected in conversations not during the auditions If they are calling you for an audition it means they want you Otherwise they say if you want to be a face on the web please take a break from TV I have met people who have suggested that I donrsquot understand it but people want to make a distinction I donrsquot think anyone would have told Shah Rukh Khan that you canrsquot do a film because you have just done television As an actor you should follow your own path