From Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat to Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi: 8 OTT performances that redefined acting in 2025

Actors like Shefali Shah and Manoj Bajpayee trade their heroics for nuance, prioritising emotional depth and lasting impact over short-term trends.

Jaideep Ahlawat in Paatal Lok Season 2; Shefali Shah in Delhi Crime Season 3; Pankaj Tripathi in Criminal Justice: A Family Matter

Indian entertainment has undergone a significant transformation and is now firmly established. OTT has become a haven for complex narratives, while the conventional theatre business struggles with "opening day" collections and two and a half hours of running duration. The success criterion in this digital realm is now lasting impact rather than short-term popularity.

Actors are rediscovering their authenticity in the absence of the financial demands of overly dramatic oratorios or forced heroic roles. The following performers did more than just give "good" performances; they dominated the screen with an unprecedented degree of emotional nuance and technical mastery.

Shefali Shah: Delhi Crime Season 3

Shefali Shah reprises her role as Vartika Chaturvedi in the third season of the highly popular Delhi Crime although her portrayal is significantly different from what viewers have seen in earlier seasons. While seasons one and two concentrated on the excitement of the chase, season three explores the psychological toll that a woman facing the city's structural burden may experience.

Shah's genius lies in her self-control. She has come to realise that the weight of one's gaze may convey just as much power as a raised voice. A powerful, quiet compassion counteracts the obvious exhaustion in her eyes, which is the result of dealing with a dysfunctional system. A masterclass in "holding the frame"—the power of silence to convey meaning more effectively than words—her performance is a testimony to this. By avoiding acting, Shah conveys the impression that the character is more like a real police officer than a staged one.

ALSO READ: Delhi Crime 3 actor Shefali Shah: 'Don't like complacency; every time I'm on a set, I don't know what I'm going to do' | Exclusive

Jaideep Ahlawat: Paatal Lok Season 2

Jaideep Ahlawat has always had a commanding presence onscreen, but in Paatal Lok season two, he explores darker, more disturbing themes. His Hathiram Chaudhary has matured in his portrayal; he appears to have succumbed to the evil he once sought to eradicate.

The courage to allow unease to persist is what sets Ahlawat's art apart. The "neat" emotional resolutions seen in most mainstream dramas are not what he offers the audience. Rather, he conveys somebody experiencing profound inner turmoil through his extended silences and subdued fury. His character seems physically and emotionally weighed down by the world around him, and his acting reflects that. With an emphasis on psychological realism rather than heroism, it paints a chilling picture.

Pankaj Tripathi: Criminal Justice: A Family Matter

Pankaj Tripathi's performance as Madhav Mishra, the "everyman lawyer", is still the franchise's greatest strength. In A Family Matter from 2025, he navigates the complex case of Dr Raj Nagpal and a deceased nurse.

Being able to combine a sharp, compassionate heart with folksy, self-deprecating humour is Tripathi's greatest strength. In court, he keeps things from getting too dry and procedural by providing context. This season, he has grown little in his performance; during cross-examinations, he reveals unusual vulnerability by wondering if his casual manner is the best weapon for justice. Tripathi's portrayal of Madhav Mishra is a paradigm of "unassuming" acting; the story hinges on his understated presence, yet he never asks for attention.

Kay Kay Menon: Special Ops Season 2

As Himmat Singh, played by Kay Kay Menon, the protagonist of Special Ops 2 is a spy thriller like no other. Distancing himself from his field agents' high-octane activity, Menon demonstrates cerebral heroism. For the most part, he remains "behind a desk" throughout the season, using his three cell phones and a "tight smile" to conceal his actual calculations as his main tools.

An air of terrifying unpredictability permeates Menon's portrayal of Himmat. His adversaries are dropped like "satisfying bombs" by his planned, unexpected outbursts. Menon makes what amounts to "typing and thinking" appear just as exciting as a physical pursuit in the face of an onslaught from cyberspace. His portrayal is grounded in the harsh logic of global survival, eschewing the theatrical bravado of cinematic spies.

Huma Qureshi: Maharani Season 4

According to critics, Huma Qureshi plays Rani Bharti with more risk in the fourth season of Maharani. From the backwater politics of Bihar to the bright lights of Delhi, the protagonist's journey takes a dramatic turn. Notable about Qureshi's performance is the way it follows this development, from a calculated quiet to a domineering and even egotistical presence.

According to her, Rani is a leader who has become "stone-hearted" in order to stay alive in the political game. The subtleties of a woman's journey through patriarchal systems, individual betrayals, and even disputes with her own children are vividly shown by Qureshi. By skilfully juggling the character's public power with an underlying, wounded wisdom, her acting serves as the show's anchor as it transitions into a "Desi Game of Thrones".

Manoj Bajpayee: The Family Man Season 3

Srikant Tiwari, played by Manoj Bajpayee, has become an OTT star in India but in season three, the actor manages to inject some freshness into the character. Leaning into the "lived-in" quality of the role, Bajpayee avoids the boredom that might occur with long-running shows.

Because it reflects real life's tumultuous dichotomy, the performance is successful. Bajpayee seamlessly transitions from delivering a serious national security briefing to engaging in a routine, often humorous,family negotiation. Instead of being scripted, humour is a survival tactic. Just like his posture and speaking habits reveal his tiredness, his expressions do not mask it. Bajpayee keeps the audience immersed in the character's journey by keeping him anchored in everyday struggles.

Shabana Azmi: Dabba Cartel

Shabana Azmi's presence consistently elevates the quality of her work, and Dabba Cartel is no different. In this series, she reminds the audience that true star power isn’t about seeking attention—it’s about the screen gravitating toward you.

An example of layered acting, Azmi delivers a powerful portrayal. There is no need for anyone else to validate her innate authority. Each facial expression she makes and every phrase she says carries the weight of her character's experience. Technical skill and intuitive acting, as shown in Azmi's work, are evergreen, even in an age when "trends" frequently drive casting and performance styles. Doing "more" will not make her the most influential person there.

Bobby Deol: The Ba***ds of Bollywood

The Ba***ds of Bollywood is arguably Bobby Deol's most risk-taking role to date, and it has been a defining feature of his career comeback. He portrays a character that is deeply flawed, unsettling, and often irredeemable.

Refusing to sugarcoat the character for the benefit of the viewer is where Deol's acting really shines. His work has taken on an unfiltered quality that betrays his distaste for timidity. Truthfulness, rather than popularity, is the driving force for this performance, rather than "novelty" or a "comeback" storyline. By fully immersing himself in the role's unpredictability, Deol captivates the audience, even when the character is at its most disgusting.

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