From Ibrahim Ali Khan to Suhana Khan: OTT being misused as perfect launch for starkids?

Digital platforms have become the leading entertainment mediums in today’s times. From drama, crime thrillers, reality and talk shows to web series and movies, the OTT platforms offer it all. While earlier movies on the big screen were released on digital platforms after a few weeks or months, today films are specially made for the OTT channels which has made it easier to work on projects that are good but may not get good responses in the theatres.

As long as it was restricted to making series and movies on topics that were hatke, different and not expected to appeal to the masses, it was alright. But of late the OTT mediums are being used supposedly for launching star kids.

Bollywood bigwigs using digital platforms to launch their kids

The Archies directed by Zoya Akhtar launched star kids like Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan , and Khushi Kapoor on OTT. For them, it was sort of a rehearsal of what they would have to do when they worked on Bollywood’s theatrical release. Similarly, Junaid Khan had an OTT release Maharaj before debuting in Bollywood with Loveyapa.

On Father’s Day - here’s wishing the best to my baby… all the babies… and Tiger Baby… for #TheArchies! pic.twitter.com/ocppa6Rq8k

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 18, 2023

Be it Ibrahim Ali Khan who recently made his debut in the world of entertainment with Nadaaniyan or Aryan Khan who is debuting as a director with a web series on Netflix, all these star kids are being launched first on OTT to sort of introduce them to the audience, increase hype around them and finally launch them in Bollywood.

Low-cost movies to help star kids make their debut

As compared to theatrical releases, digital films need less budget. That is why it is easier for the producers to bet their money on these star kids who despite coming with big names are not always highly talented. But it helps star children like Suhana or Ibrahim to get good experience or also feedback so that they can improve and do better in actual Bollywood releases.

Based on true events from the 1860s - Maharaj is now streaming, only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/QlleHUV8dq

— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) June 22, 2024

However, more often such productions are trash that offer no entertainment to the audience who offer huge amount to the digital platforms for monthly packages. Rather the viewers are forced to watch such low quality content just because the children of Bollywood stars want to work in the movie industry irrespective of the fact whether they have the qualities for the job or not.

Watched #Loveyappa movie yesterday and would like to say only one thing ‘ मज़ा नहीं आया’

2/5 ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/WMDAy6dPW7

— OpinionWalla (@opinionwalla) February 10, 2025

Certainly, looking at the current releases like Loveyapa and The Archies it can be easily said that digital platforms are being misused as launching vehicles for star kids.

First trailer of #Nadaniyaan starring #IbrahimAliKhan and #KhushiKapoor

Also stars #SunielShetty, #MahimaChaudhary, #DiaMirza and #JugalHansraj.

March 7 release on #Netflixpic.twitter.com/HgLLJxgtBj

— Movie Track (@movieztrack) March 1, 2025