Prajakta Koli Interview & Andhera on Prime Video – Known for her sunny, relatable presence in web shows and films, YouTuber-turned-actor Prajakta Koli has stepped into an entirely new genre with Andhera, a supernatural investigative thriller now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. In this candid conversation, she opens up about playing a paranormal YouTuber, working in a dark and intense space, and why she associates darkness not with fear, but with peace.
Andhera: From Dharma to Darkness
Prajakta Koli’s career graph has been a mix of relatable comedy, youthful romance, and now, gritty supernatural drama. In 2022, she appeared in Karan Johar’s production Jugjugg Jeeyo, playing Ginny, the sister of Varun Dhawan and daughter of Anil Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor.
“For a filmy kid like me, working with Dharma Productions was a dream. These are people and banners you grow up admiring and hoping to work with,” Prajakta recalls with a smile.
So, when Excel Entertainment — Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s banner — approached her, she expected the kind of buddy comedies they’re known for, like Dil Chahta Hai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, or the Fukrey series. Instead, they offered her Andhera, created by Gaurav Desai and directed by Raaghav Dar — a suspense-filled horror show set in Mumbai.
Andhera: A Paranormal YouTuber in the City of Shadows
In Andhera, Prajakta plays Rumi, a content creator who runs a paranormal YouTube channel. Rumi’s path crosses with Jai, played by Karanvir Malhotra, as an eerie darkness starts engulfing Mumbai.
“What really hooked me was that even in this horror setting, the relationships between characters are central to the story — whether it’s Rumi and Jai, or Rumi and her mother,” she says. “I’d never explored this style of storytelling before. To prepare, I interacted with real-life paranormal content creators, and even shot an episode of Khooni Monday with Divay Agarwal. That was unexpectedly fun!”
Although she’s playing a YouTuber like in her real life, Prajakta says the on-set experience was completely different. “As a content creator, I’d just put my camera near a window and start recording. But here, I had scripts with lines about demons from Australia! Plus, the production scale is on another level.”
From Mismatched Sunshine to Andhera Shadows
Audiences are used to seeing Prajakta in vibrant, youthful roles — especially as Dimple in Netflix’s Mismatched. Andhera is the opposite in tone.
“There’s absolutely no sunshine in Andhera,” she laughs. “From the very first day, we were shooting intense scenes. There was no easing into it, no ‘let’s start with something light’. It was challenging, but in a good way. I think as an actor, it’s important to feel uncomfortable sometimes — it pushes you to grow.”
Prajakta credits the creators and crew for helping the cast navigate the heavy atmosphere. “Gaurav and Raaghav knew every detail about the characters and the backstory. After almost every take, we’d check in with them to understand our motivations. They’re the pillars of this show.”
Andhera: Learning to Trust the Process
Coming from a background where she could upload a video instantly, Prajakta admits she once found the long production timelines of film and OTT frustrating.
“In my early acting days, I’d think, ‘Why shoot for 60 days if it’s going to release next year? I could post 60 videos in that time.’ But over the years, I’ve realised how much groundwork is done before we actors even arrive on set. The writing, the planning, the design — it’s all in place. You just show up, get into costume, hit your mark, and perform. That understanding has made me value the process so much more.”
Andhera: A Different Kind of Horror
Prajakta is happy that Andhera is far removed from the horror films she grew up hearing about, like the Ramsay Brothers’ campy thrillers or the “horrex” (horror + sex) trend.
“This is a genre that’s evolved a lot. Andhera is an investigative supernatural thriller with two strong female leads — me and Priya Bapat. It’s thrilling without being exploitative. Hindi entertainment has come a long way in telling progressive stories without sensationalising them, and that’s largely because audiences have matured.”
Darkness as Comfort, Not Fear
Unlike her character, Prajakta isn’t scared of the dark. In fact, she finds it calming.
“I sleep best in pitch darkness — I even wear an eye mask if there’s a hint of light. Darkness doesn’t mean despair to me; it’s peaceful. It’s when the world goes quiet,” she says.
This stillness also fuels her creativity. Earlier this year, she published her romance novel Too Good To Be True, much of which was written late at night. “After 11 pm, there are no calls, no knocks at the door… unless there are, in which case you should be scared!” she laughs.
Why Andhera Stands Out
What makes Andhera special is the way it balances supernatural tension with human relationships. It’s not just about jump scares — it’s about what the darkness means to each character, and how they respond when faced with the unknown.
For Prajakta, it’s been a chance to step far outside her comfort zone. “It’s exciting to try something that scares you creatively. I don’t know how audiences will respond, but as an actor, I’ve grown through this experience.”
Final Thoughts – A New Chapter in Prajakta’s Career
From YouTube sketches to light-hearted rom-coms, and now into horror-thrillers, Prajakta Koli’s journey reflects a willingness to take risks. Andhera is not just a new genre for her — it’s a step into deeper, darker storytelling, where fear is as much about the human mind as it is about the supernatural.
Whether you’re tuning in for the scares, the mystery, or to see a new side of Prajakta, Andhera promises to be a gripping watch on Amazon Prime Video.
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