Smita Bansal on OTT debut: Why 'The Pyramid Scheme' felt right
Synopsis
After years on television, Smita Bansal has crossed over to OTT with TVF's 'The Pyramid Scheme' on Prime Video — and she says collaborating with TVF was a long-held dream. Playing the morally layered Pramila Singh, she steps well outside her comfort zone in a show built around ambition, quick success, and the dangerous choices that follow.
Key Takeaways
Smita Bansal makes her OTT debut as Pramila Singh in The Pyramid Scheme , now streaming on Prime Video .
The series is produced by The Viral Fever (TVF) , created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey .
Bansal cited a long-held desire to work with TVF as a key reason for signing the project.
The ensemble cast includes Shekhar Suman , Aanjjan Srivastav , Alfia Jafry , and several others.
The show explores themes of ambition, rapid success, and ethical compromises in the world of pyramid schemes.
Veteran television actress Smita Bansal, celebrated for her roles in popular shows such as Balika Vadhu, Aladdin, and Bhagya Lakshmi, has made her long-awaited OTT debut with The Pyramid Scheme, a TVF original now streaming on Prime Video. The series, which explores ambition, rapid success, and the moral compromises people make chasing their dreams, marks a significant career pivot for the actress.
The TVF Pull
Bansal has been candid about what drew her to the project. 'What drew me to The Pyramid Scheme was the opportunity to be part of a TVF project. I have watched and admired a lot of TVF's work over the years because of the way they craft relatable, engaging stories that connect with audiences across generations. I had always hoped to collaborate with them someday, so when this opportunity came along, it was very special for me,' she said.
The Viral Fever has built a loyal following with slice-of-life storytelling that resonates across age groups — making it a coveted creative home for television actors seeking a credible digital crossover.
The Character and the Challenge
Bansal portrays Pramila Singh in the series — a role she describes as a deliberate step outside her comfort zone. 'The story itself was something that immediately caught my attention. It explores themes that are extremely relevant today — ambition, the desire for quick success, and the choices people make in pursuit of it. The character, the writing, and the overall vision of the show felt fresh and exciting. As actors, we are always looking for projects that allow us to step outside our comfort zones, and Pramila's character gave me the opportunity to do exactly that,' she added.
Cast and Creative Team
The series features an ensemble cast including Shekhar Suman, Aanjjan Srivastav, Alfia Jafry, Ashish Raghava, Akhilendra Mishra, Vijay Kumar, Indresh Malik, Ravi Bhel, Sushant Singh, Sonal Jha, and Sadanand Patil. The show is created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey, with Ashish R Shukla also on the director's chair, and is produced by The Viral Fever.
What to Expect
Set against the intriguing and often murky world of pyramid schemes, the series promises to hold a mirror to contemporary aspirations and the ethical grey zones they can lead into. For Bansal, it is both a homecoming of sorts — to ensemble storytelling — and a fresh chapter in a career built on memorable, grounded characters. With The Pyramid Scheme now live on Prime Video, audiences will be watching closely to see how she translates her small-screen authority to the digital format.
Point of View
But the choice of TVF is telling — it signals a preference for craft over reach. TVF's track record of grounding ensemble casts in relatable narratives gives established TV actors room to shed their small-screen image without overreaching. Whether Bansal's transition resonates will depend less on her performance and more on whether The Pyramid Scheme cuts through a crowded Prime Video slate. The real question is whether TVF's signature relatability can make a show about financial fraud feel as intimate as a college drama.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'The Pyramid Scheme' and where can I watch it?
The Pyramid Scheme is a TVF original series that explores the world of pyramid schemes, ambition, and the moral choices people make in pursuit of quick success. It is produced by The Viral Fever and is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Who does Smita Bansal play in 'The Pyramid Scheme'?
Smita Bansal plays the character Pramila Singh in the series. She has described the role as an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone after years of television work.
Why did Smita Bansal choose 'The Pyramid Scheme' as her OTT debut?
Bansal said she was drawn by the chance to collaborate with TVF, whose storytelling she has long admired. She also cited the show's relevant themes — ambition, rapid success, and ethical compromises — as factors that made the project compelling.
Who else is in the cast of 'The Pyramid Scheme'?
The series features Shekhar Suman, Aanjjan Srivastav, Alfia Jafry, Ashish Raghava, Akhilendra Mishra, Vijay Kumar, Indresh Malik, Ravi Bhel, Sushant Singh, Sonal Jha, and Sadanand Patil, among others.
Who directed and created 'The Pyramid Scheme'?
The series was created by Shreyansh Pandey, who also co-directed it alongside Ashish R Shukla. It is produced by The Viral Fever.
