Eisha Singh on OTT boldness in Lock Upp, Alliance: 'That's alright'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Television actress Eisha Singh has defended the increasingly bold content and unfiltered language on OTT reality shows such as Lock Upp and Alliance, arguing that such portrayals mirror how people genuinely behave in everyday life. The actress, who was herself a contestant on Bigg Boss 18, shared her views in a recent interaction.
What Eisha Singh Said
'So, of course, it's Netflix, it's OTT. So they have more freedom, be it the scenes or the language,' she said, explaining that streaming platforms operate under far fewer restrictions than traditional television. She pointed out that abusive language is not absent from conventional reality TV either — it is simply edited out or bleeped before broadcast.
'It's not like, "Oh, we are all saints." People do talk like that. People are very different from what they are on screen. I think that's alright. People are still loving it. They are watching Lock Upp, they are watching Bigg Boss,' she added.
OTT vs Television: The Creative Divide
Singh's comments highlight a widening gap between what OTT platforms and traditional Indian television are permitted — or choose — to show. Streaming services like Netflix and others are not subject to the same broadcast content codes that govern free-to-air channels, giving creators the latitude to present characters and situations with greater rawness. Critics, however, argue that normalising abusive language in popular entertainment can have cultural consequences, particularly among younger viewers.
Notably, Lock Upp — produced by Ekta Kapoor — drew both high viewership and controversy during its run for its unfiltered content, a template that Alliance appears to be following. The pattern suggests that shock value and authenticity are increasingly being conflated as selling points in the Indian reality-show space.
Eisha Singh's Current Project
Singh is presently starring in Juhi Mui, which airs on Colors. The show follows Juhi Suri, a gifted young autistic woman navigating a world that frequently misunderstands her. In the current track, Juhi grapples with grief after losing her father — the person who had been her primary shield against society's harsh judgements. The role marks a significant tonal departure from the unscripted reality space Singh has also inhabited.
Audience Response and What It Signals
Singh's observation that 'you guys are loving it — we are talking about it' underscores a broader industry reality: controversy drives conversation, and conversation drives streams. As Indian OTT audiences grow more diverse and discerning, platforms are doubling down on content that feels less produced and more visceral. Whether that appetite sustains — or eventually triggers a regulatory response — remains an open question.