On the occasion of World Television Day, which is observed on November 21 to recognise television’s impact on communication and development, Anupamaa actor Shivam Khajuria feels that television has upped its game with better content and stories, and the credit for this goes to OTT. Anupamaa on Star Plus is produced by Rajan Shahi’s Director’s Kut.
He said, “Television has definitely evolved—and in a good way. With OTT coming in strong, TV has been pushed to raise its game: better content, better storytelling, and better production.”
However, he mentioned that the competition from OTT isn’t a threat and added, “It’s actually pushed television to level up and offer audiences more variety and quality.”
He stressed that the magic of television is that it brought entertainment right into people’s homes. He said, “That connection—of being part of someone’s everyday life—is still alive. TV still reaches people where they’re the most comfortable: their living rooms, with their families. That consistency and closeness make it irreplaceable.”
Shivam also feels that daily soaps and reality shows have the same emotional connection with audiences as before. He said, “Maybe a little different, but definitely strong. Daily soaps mirror everyday life with some added masala, of course. That relatability keeps people invested.”
“Reality shows too bring out real emotions and stories, so the bond with the audience hasn’t disappeared,” he added.
Talking about his earliest memory of TV, he said that it was a family ritual. He said, “Every evening, we would all sit together and watch the daily serials—no matter what was happening, that was our bonding time. And Sundays were even more special because we would watch the ‘special editions’ together. It felt like a festival every week.”
He insisted that he would love to bring back the early 2000s era. “We had such fun, wholesome comedy shows and simple, feel-good daily soaps back then. Those shows lifted your mood instantly—and I think that kind of lightness is something we could definitely use more of today,” Shivam ended.
Happy World Television Day to all our readers!!
