Surbhi Chandna: “I Don’t Look at TV, OTT and Films as Separate Worlds”

Surbhi Chandna believes the boundaries between television, OTT and films are becoming increasingly blurred. The Ishqbaaaz and Naagin 5 actress says audiences today are more interested in an actor’s talent and performance than the platform on which a story is released.

“Today, audiences care more about talent than the platform an actor comes from. OTT has opened many doors, and I believe good performances will always find their audience,” Surbhi said.

The actress added that she no longer views television, streaming platforms and films as completely separate career paths. For her, each is simply a different medium through which meaningful stories can be told.

“I don’t look at TV, OTT or films as separate worlds anymore. They’re simply different mediums to tell meaningful stories, and as an actor, I would love to explore all of them,” she said.

Surbhi Chandna on Her Production Journey

Surbhi has also taken a new step in her creative career by launching a production house with her husband, Karan Sharma. She clarified that producing was not a backup option or an alternative career plan.

“I don’t think it’s necessary for every actor to have another career. If acting fulfills you, that’s absolutely enough. For me, producing wasn’t a backup plan — it was a creative extension of what I already love doing,” she explained.

According to Surbhi, her shared interest in storytelling with Karan played an important role in their decision to enter production.

“Karan and I have always enjoyed discussing stories, music and concepts, so it felt like the right time to take that leap together,” she said.

The Story Will Decide the Platform

Surbhi and Karan do not want to restrict their production house to a single medium. Instead, they plan to choose the platform based on what works best for each story.

“We don’t want to limit ourselves to one platform. If a story is best suited for television, we’ll make it for television. If it belongs on OTT, we’ll take it there. The medium will always follow the story,” Surbhi said.

She also acknowledged that producing is considerably more demanding than it may appear from the outside. From creative decisions and budgets to schedules and coordination, a production involves numerous responsibilities.

“It’s definitely not easy. Producing comes with responsibilities that audiences don’t always see. There are creative decisions, budgets, schedules and countless moving parts,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Surbhi considers the experience rewarding because every stage of production offers a new learning opportunity.

“But every challenge teaches you something new, and that’s been the most rewarding part of this journey,” she added.

Karan Sharma on Building Their Creative Vision

Karan Sharma shares Surbhi’s enthusiasm about their production venture. He believes producing gives them the opportunity to support stories they genuinely connect with instead of waiting for suitable opportunities to come their way.

“Producing allows us to tell stories we genuinely believe in rather than waiting for the right opportunities. It’s exciting to build something together and create a platform that reflects our creative vision,” Karan said.

For Surbhi Chandna, the move into production represents an expansion of her creative journey rather than a departure from acting. With television, OTT and cinema increasingly overlapping, she believes the quality of the story and the strength of the performance will ultimately matter more than the medium.