The latest episode of Mahendra Podcast with Atul Sharma pulled no punches. In a brutally honest conversation, Atul Sharma exposed the dark reality of OTT platforms and how they are shaping (and destroying) our society. Every statement he made was raw, thought-provoking, and a reflection of what many people silently feel but rarely speak about.
OTT and the Disappearance of Indian Culture
Atul Sharma began by comparing the past and present of Indian entertainment. She recalled how Doordarshan and family TV shows once brought people together. Stories carried cultural values, and even sensitive topics were handled with grace. But today, with OTT platforms, entertainment has shifted to private screens, behind closed doors, where no one knows what the younger generation is consuming.
She pointed out that this shift has led to the erosion of cultural values. According to him, “ जितना ज्यादा स*क्स दिखाओगे, जितना हिंसा दिखाओगे, उतनी ज्यादा चलेगी OTT.”
Vulgarity as a Business Strategy
One of Atul Sharma’s strongest criticisms was that OTT survives on vulgarity. She mentioned shows like Aashram and Mirzapur, where, despite having strong stories, unnecessary boldness and obscenity were poured in. For her, these could have been represented symbolically, but creators chose explicit visuals because “Controversy and boldness guarantee TRPs.”
Where is the Censorship?
Atul questioned the double standards in India’s content regulation. Movies on the big screen are censored; even a simple abusive word gets muted. But on OTT? Anything goes. He emphasized that OTT operates outside censorship, meaning creators can push as much nudity, abuse, or violence as they want, and no one stops them.
This, she argued, is not freedom of expression, but rather irresponsibility in the name of creativity.
The Impact on Young Minds
Throughout the podcast, Atul Sharma showed deep concern about how teenagers and college students are being influenced by OTT content. She believes that repeated exposure to casual s*ex, extramarital affairs, and crime-driven heroes is reshaping the mindset of the youth.
- Lust is being mistaken for love.
- Aggression is glorified as power.
- Branded luxury is shown as the ultimate success.
She even connected this to rising cases of prostitution among college girls and gigolo culture among boys, claiming that OTT has normalized the idea that “body is a product” to be sold for money or pleasure.
OTT vs. Indian Families
Atul Sharma reminded listeners of the times when parents could simply switch off the TV or divert children’s attention when something inappropriate came on screen. But now, with smartphones and OTT, parents are helpless. They don’t know what their children are watching at midnight in their rooms.
This, according to her, is breaking the parent-child bond and creating a dangerous privacy bubble where youngsters live secret lives.
The Bigger Question: What Kind of “Modern India” Do We Want?
Perhaps the most powerful part of the podcast was when Atul Sharma questioned the idea of modernity. She said:
“आजादी और श्रृंखलता में बाल भर का फर्क है। आजादी वो है कि मैं अपनी मर्जी से सच बोलूं। श्रृंखलता वो है कि मैं बदतमीज़ी करूं। आज OTT ने आज़ादी को बदतमीज़ी बना दिया है।”
For her, true progress is not about copying the West and glorifying vulgarity, but about preserving values while innovating in storytelling.
Conclusion
The Mahendra Podcast with Atul Sharma was more than just a conversation; it was a mirror to society. OTT platforms may have opened creative doors, but they have also exposed the darkest side of our desires. The reality, as Atul Sharma bluntly puts it, is that OTT is selling obscenity in the name of entertainment, and we, as viewers, are letting it happen.
The big question is, will OTT creators take responsibility, or will they keep feeding audiences with vulgarity just because it sells?
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