Inside India's Vertical Web Series Boom: Exclusive Interview with Usha Bachani

 

For decades, Usha Bachani has been a familiar face on Indian television, winning audiences over with her memorable performances across several popular TV serials. Best known for bringing intensity and conviction to strong, often grey-shaded characters, she has built a career on portraying roles that leave a lasting impression. Now, as the entertainment landscape rapidly evolves, the seasoned actor is embracing one of the industry's fastest-growing storytelling formats—vertical web series.

With audiences increasingly consuming bite-sized content on their smartphones, vertical web series are creating exciting opportunities for actors to experiment with diverse roles while reaching a new generation of viewers. In this exclusive conversation, Usha Bachani shares what drew her to the format, why she enjoys playing complex negative characters, how acting for vertical content differs from traditional television, and why she believes this emerging medium is here to stay.

The Interview:

What attracted you to the world of vertical web series, and how does working in this format differ from traditional web series or television?

The biggest attraction was that the format is quick, the remuneration is good, and there are no long block dates. You wrap up a project in just a few days, which also gives you the opportunity to play a variety of characters. The storytelling format is essentially the same as television or web series, but the pace of work is much faster and more dynamic.

Do share some details about the vertical web series you have worked in.

I've been working extensively with Shakeb Sayed Studioz, and many of the projects are associated with Balaji. Since I genuinely enjoy playing negative characters, I'm usually offered those roles. Some of the vertical web series I've been a part of include Nakli Pati and Pehle Ishq Phir Badla, and each project has allowed me to explore different shades of grey.

Since every second matters in a vertical series, how does the acting process change when you have to establish emotions, character, and conflict in such short episodes?

The scenes are much shorter, so in many ways they become easier to perform. The emotional impact doesn't get affected because you still approach the character with the same sincerity. Personally, I don't find it very different from working in daily soaps, except that everything moves at a much quicker pace.

Vertical content is often described as fast-paced and binge-worthy. As an actor, how do you maintain emotional depth while keeping the storytelling engaging within a limited runtime?

For me, emotional depth is never about screen time—it's about honesty. Even within a limited runtime, I focus on the character's emotional journey and use expressions, pauses, and genuine reactions to make every moment meaningful and engaging for the audience.

How does the filming process for a vertical web series differ from traditional horizontal productions in terms of camera framing, blocking, and performance?

Honestly, I don't see a major difference. Most shoots follow the familiar three-camera setup, and the scenes are filmed much like they are for daily soaps. The only noticeable change is the speed at which everything is executed.

Social media has changed the way audiences consume entertainment. Do you think vertical web series represent the future of digital storytelling, or will they complement existing formats rather than replace them?

I believe vertical web series are definitely the future of mobile entertainment, but they won't replace traditional films or long-form web series. Instead, they'll complement existing formats by offering quick, engaging stories that suit today's fast-paced viewing habits. As an actor, I see this as an exciting platform that opens up many new creative opportunities.

What advice would you give to aspiring actors who want to explore opportunities in vertical web series, and what unique skills should they focus on developing?

My biggest advice is not to waste time. Vertical web series move at a very fast pace, so you need to be extremely prepared. Know your lines, be quick with your performances, and be ready to adapt because speed and efficiency are just as important as good acting.

As an actor, do you feel restricted to being slotted in grey-shaded roles? When do we get to see you in a comedy avatar?

Actually, I'm the one who chose to be slotted in these roles. When I started acting, most female actors wanted to play positive characters, but I was the only one actively looking for negative roles. Even today, I absolutely love portraying grey and negative characters because they're layered, unpredictable, and emotionally complex. They constantly challenge me as an actor and allow me to explore different shades of human nature, which is creatively very fulfilling. That said, if the right comedy comes along, I'd be more than happy to surprise the audience with a completely different side of myself.