'Scam 1992' was rejected by every OTT platform,” reveals Hansal Mehta

Hansal Mehta’s 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story' is now hailed as one of the finest Indian web series ever made, but the filmmaker recently revealed that its journey to the screen was anything but smooth.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, Mehta recalled how every major OTT platform rejected the show during its early stages. The director spoke about the making of his hit show Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. He shared that they signed the project in 2017, and it took about 3 to 4 years to write. They started shooting in August 2019 and managed to release it within a year.
From rejections to risk-taking
Mehta shared that there was pressure during the lockdown, and SonyLiv wanted to release the show quickly. He said they made Scam 1992 with full conviction, believing someone would pick it up. But initially, everyone rejected it, questioning, “Who is Pratik Gandhi?” Yet, the show worked like magic.
He further credited Sameer Nair for having the vision to back both the project and Pratik Gandhi. Rather than push for a more popular actor, Nair supported Mehta’s instincts without hesitation.
“I said mujhe ye Pratik Gandhi karke actor ko lena hai (I want to take Pratik Gandhi), he didn’t flinch aur bola yes,” Mehta said, acknowledging Nair’s trust in him.
A new chapter in Indian streaming history
Despite their doubts, the creators completed the show with renewed morale. Mehta admitted that when SonyLiv called him in May 2020 asking for a photo, he was confused. It was only then that he realized the show was finally getting released. With low expectations and limited visibility, the team was unsure how it would perform.
Adding to the interview, Hansal further recalled how Sameer Nair had once told him that while the platform would treat the show with care, there was concern that it might not reach a wide audience. This left the team feeling disheartened. To keep the project going, Hansal took it upon himself to lift their spirits by sharing the encouraging words with his team. Despite the doubts, they pushed through, completed the show on time, and eventually made a mark in the long-form storytelling space.
However, 'Scam 1992' went on to become a hit, especially Pratik's performance received much praise.