Special Lecture on OTT, Global Entertainment and Cultural Discourse Organised at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study
A special lecture on “The Expanding Scope of Entertainment in Global Contexts: Challenges and Possibilities” was organised today at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla by senior journalist and author Anant Vijay. The session was chaired by Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director of the Institute. Fellows, Associates and participants attended the lecture with keen interest. The programme was also live-streamed on the Institute’s official Facebook page.
In his lecture, Anant Vijay presented a detailed analysis of the rapidly emerging OTT platforms in the global entertainment industry, their socio-cultural impact, and the changing media landscape. He observed that OTT platforms have significantly transformed conventional notions of entertainment over the past few years and have emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global entertainment industry. Referring to various international reports and Indian experiences, he noted that digital platforms have expanded the reach of entertainment in unprecedented ways.
During the lecture, he also discussed in detail issues related to increasing violence, nudity, uncensored presentations, and the construction of ideological narratives in Indian OTT content. He stated that certain web series and digital productions are presenting social, religious, and political discourses in new ways, thereby influencing public thinking and cultural perceptions on a large scale. In this context, he cited examples from several popular web series to explain the process of narrative-building within the entertainment industry.
He further remarked that during the Covid-19 pandemic, films and web series rooted in Indian ethos, local narratives, and cultural sensibilities received remarkable appreciation from audiences. According to him, this phase demonstrated that Indian society connects more deeply with stories linked to its cultural roots and lived experiences. Emphasising the role of OTT platforms in the global expansion of Indian languages, he stated that Indian films and web series are now being viewed simultaneously across numerous countries, thereby providing international visibility to Indian languages and cultural expressions.
During the interactive question-and-answer session held after the lecture, participants raised several questions concerning regulation of OTT platforms, freedom of expression, censorship, Indian cultural values, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the social responsibility of digital media, and the influence of entertainment content on younger generations. Anant Vijay responded to the questions in a balanced and comprehensive manner and remarked that maintaining equilibrium between creative freedom and social responsibility remains one of the major challenges before entertainment media in the digital age. He also underlined the growing importance of media literacy and critical thinking in the context of rapid technological advancement.
During the programme, the speaker also reflected upon the interrelationship between media, literature, cinema, and digital culture, while presenting a thoughtful discussion on changing audience behaviour, commercialisation, and global cultural influences within the contemporary entertainment industry. Participants described the lecture as highly thought-provoking, contemporary, and multidimensional.
Anant Vijay is a National Award-winning senior journalist, author, and cultural commentator. He is presently serving as Editor (Feature) with Dainik Jagran and has been writing extensively on literature, cinema, culture, and media discourse. His contributions to journalism and literature have been recognised through several prestigious national honours.
Dr Akhilesh Pathak
SPRO, IIAS Shimla
