For years, audiences have known Keya Payel as a familiar small-screen face. Now, she is entering the OTT world with Chorki’s Happily Married. But in this TIMES Exclusive, Payel makes one thing clear: she is not making the move simply because everyone else is doing it.
The web film, which pairs her with Arifin Shuvoo for the first time, also marks her third collaboration with director Zahid Preetam. Payel considers Chorki a strong platform and said the project’s story and freshness convinced her to take the leap. She previously worked with Preetam on two dramas, both of which received positive responses from audience.
She had received several OTT offers before but waited for a story and character that made her feel she should do it. She also sees working with Shuvoo as a major plus.
“Shuvoo bhai is a much more senior actor and has far more experience. He has also worked internationally and in West Bengal. So, working with him is a plus point for me,” she said.
Payel is keeping details of her character, Anamika, under wraps. She has revealed that the role lets her present herself differently from her previous characters. Anamika belongs to the current generation, while the male lead comes from the 1990s generation. Their age gap reflects differences in their outlook and lifestyles. He values family time, while Anamika lives in a very different world. Their contrasting lives form the film’s love story.
The shoot has wrapped, with editing under way. Dubbing and minor corrections remain.
Payel is open to more OTT work if she finds the right project. “I’m regularly seen by audiences in dramas, so I wanted to begin on a new platform with something that would make them see me differently. If I get another good project, why not?” she said.
At a time when many actresses are moving into films, Payel refuses to follow the trend simply because others are doing so.
“I don’t want to work by simply going with the flow. The story has to be good, the director good, the platform good and the character important. I don’t want to work just for the sake of working,” she said.
She continues to receive film offers but prefers to take time before choosing. Her approach also shaped her television success as Mehrin in Mohammad Mostofa Kamal Raj’s 52-episode Eita Amaderi Golpo, whose strong story and collective performances won praise.
Payel does not want to repeat a successful formula. Instead, she wants to find something new in every project and show audiences a different side of herself.
