​ SJ Suryah to Aparna Balamurali: Noteworthy OTT debuts in Tamil ​in 2022​

​The OTT space in the Tamil entertainment industry is burgeoning and how. After the pandemic-induced lockdown, the audience has begun opting for OTT platforms as one of the most preferred modes of entertainment, where content is available 24 X 7. So, it comes as no surprise that many of our Kollywood stars, too, are testing waters in the digital space. Not only did the platforms give them scope to experiment with mettle in acting, but also cater to the audience in a different medium. Here are some noteworthy debuts in the OTT space in Tamil in 2022.

SJ Suryah (Vadandhi)
Actor SJ Suryah added yet another feather to his cap by making his foray into the OTT world with the crime series, Vadhandhi: The fable of Velonie. The show, helmed by Kolaigaran director Andrew Louis, had the actor playing SI Vivek, who investigates a complicated murder case. His nuanced performance in the series won him accolades.

Laila (Vadandhi)
Laila, who made a comeback to Tamil cinema after a span of 16 long years with PS Mithran's Sardar, also made her OTT debut with the crime series Vadandhi. She played Ruby, an Anglo Indian woman from Kanyakumari, who becomes a suspect in her daughter's murder.

Jiiva (Sarkaar with Jiiva)
Unlike many others, who experimented with reel roles, Jiiva took the plunge into the OTT space as a host for the celebrity game show, Sarkaar with Jiiva. The actor had told OTTplay that it's a great opportunity to reconnect with his friends, directors and producers through the show.

Kathir (Suzhal)
Pariyerum Perumal fame Kathir once again proved that he is a versatile actor. Playing a cop in Pushkar-Gayatri's nail-biting crime thriller Suzhal- The Vortex, Kathir had the audience eating out of his hands with his performance. He had stated that OTT space has expanded the horizons and people's exposure to international content.

Arun Vijay (Tamil​ ​Rockerz)
Arun Vijay took the leap into the OTT space with the crime thriller TamilRockers. He played police officer Rudhra who is roped in to track down a nefarious piracy website that threatens the entertainment industry. The actor, who has taken to cop roles like a fish to water, excelled in this one, too.

Sriya Reddy (Suzhal)
Sriya Reddy played a cop and a bereaved mother in the investigative crime series Suzhal and won accolades for her performance. She said that the content-oriented series pushed geographical and language boundaries and Suzhal was a great attempt at the same.

Vemal (Vilangu)
This investigative edge-of-the-seat thriller set in a village in Trichy, had Vemal playing a cop investigating a mysterious crime. The series, directed by Prashanth Pandiyaraj had the audience glued to their seats as Vemal's character proceeded with his investigation.

Kalaiyarasan (Pettaikaali and Victim)
When it comes to acting, Kalaiyarasan is someone who constantly pushes his game. In Dhamman, an episode of the anthology Victim, he played a casteist who refuses to leave a way for a girl from an oppressed caste. In director Raj Kumar's Pettaikaali (the first Tamil web series on the sport), he played a Jallikattu player named Pandi.

Aparna Balamurali (Fingertip 2)
Soorarai Pottru actress Aparna Balamurali took the plunge into the digital space with director S Shivakar's in the second season of the gripping series Fingertip. Aparna had stated that the story would keep the audience glued to their screens and that she was excited about her role.

Regina Cassandra (Fingertip 2)
The series also marked Regina Cassandra's collaboration with Prasanna after 17 long years. They had earlier teamed up for Kanda Naal Mudhal. Regina had stated that the series will be quite relatable to the audience and won acclaim for her role.