Now, Pawan returns to the spotlight; this time in front of the camera with his upcoming web series Shodha. Premiering on August 29 on Zee5, Shodha, a psychological thriller adapted from the Hindi series Khoj, follows a man’s frantic search for his missing wife. The series also features Siri Ravikumar and Arun Sagar in pivotal roles.

In a candid chat, Pawan opens up about rediscovering his love for acting, the evolving Kannada OTT landscape, and why the web series format could be the real game-changer for regional talent.

How did Shodha happen for you?

I’ve always been an actor at heart. Theatre gave me that foundation, but somewhere along the way, writing and directing took over. Every now and then, friends would rope me into projects where they thought my presence could add something quirky or unusual. And two, I’ve always felt that I’m not an actor where I can go do a film and then claim a certain box office. Shodha was different because the moment I heard the half-page synopsis, I knew it was an actor’s delight. The role demanded a spectrum of emotions, sadness, power, vulnerability, unpredictability.
As a performer, it’s rare to get that range in one project. Add to that the thriller format, and I couldn’t resist.

What makes web series a compelling space for you as an actor?

For someone like me, series are a neutral ground. If you look at Hindi OTT, incredible performers who may not have blockbuster films are thriving in web series. They get meaty roles and the freedom to explore without the pressure of commercial returns. I felt Shodha was that kind of opportunity for Kannada too. A chance to test the waters in a new format and have fun purely as an actor.

Where do you see the Kannada OTT ecosystem right now?

Honestly, we’ve been craving for it. For years, none of the networks seemed interested in investing in Kannada series. With Shodha, the platform came halfway by allocating a budget and taking a chance. As creators, it’s our responsibility to meet them halfway and deliver content that hooks audiences. Once viewers get invested, it can open the floodgates for more series, more jobs, and more opportunities for writers, directors, and actors.

Speaking of writers, how ready is the talent pool in Kannada for web series?

Talent can come from anywhere. Take Ondu Motteya Kathe, it came from a small team in Mangalore who were doing corporate videos. Suddenly, they went on to make one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Similarly, once OTT opens up, many voices will emerge. What excites me is that some networks are creating writers’ rooms, training new talent, and building a pool specifically for series. That’s exactly what we need. Not just content, but a system that nurtures storytellers.