Sep 23: For creator Niti Pandey, the journey from creating characters for the digital world to stepping into a scripted OTT series marks a new chapter in a career built on relatable storytelling, comedy and a distinctly desi sense of humour. The Varanasi-born creator, known for her popular digital IP ‘Ladaku Padosan’, has now made her OTT debut with Amazon MX Player’s Waiting Hai, which premiered on September 16, 2026.
Directed by Sameer Vidwans, Waiting Hai is a seven-episode comedy-crime drama set against the backdrop of the Tatkal railway ticketing racket. The series follows two young men on opposite sides of the law RPF officer Sugam Mishra and tech-savvy Afroz Hamza, as their worlds become intertwined through the illegal ticket-booking network. The series features an ensemble cast including Divyenndu, Bhuvan Arora, Kumud Mishra, Vijay Maurya, Harshita Gaur, Sunita Rajwar, Dayashankar Pandey and Yashpal Sharma, with production by Jio Studios and Jar Pictures.
Niti features in Episode 3, ‘Yatrigan Kripya Dhyaan Dein,’ in a role that may be brief in screen time but holds significance within the story. Her character becomes part of a key family dynamic, with the relationship between the saas and bahu taking a different turn following her entry into the narrative.
Interestingly, Niti’s entry into the series came from the very world she has built for herself online. The team saw a natural connection between the character they were casting and Niti’s already-established ‘Ladaku Padosan’ persona. Her digital work had caught the attention of the creative team, eventually leading to her being considered for the role.
The casting was approached by Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company and Jar Pictures, with Niti recalling that the process involved only a limited audition process as the team was already familiar with her work. A member of the writing or dialect team recommended her after seeing her work as ‘Ladaku Padosan’, following which the director wanted to see her perform the character before taking the casting forward.
For a creator who has spent years building characters and stories through short-form content, the transition to a scripted set presented an entirely different experience. While her role was filmed in a single day, Niti describes the opportunity as an important milestone in her journey from being a digital creator to exploring acting and scripted entertainment.
Speaking about her OTT debut, Niti Pandey says,
This was my childhood dream come true- to act. I always knew this day would come , I just didn’t know when. But honestly, when I got the call, I couldn’t believe it. My character Ladaaku Padosan was inspired by the hysterical fights and drama from the galis and mohallas of Banaras, those loud, unapologetic, full-of-life women who never held back. The role may have been short, but I believe every character, no matter how brief, leaves an impact. I am grateful that the team saw potential in my work, and I look forward to many more such projects and collaborations. This is just the beginning !
What makes Niti’s journey particularly interesting is the organic way in which her creator identity has translated into scripted entertainment. Rather than stepping away from the persona that audiences already associate with her, her OTT opportunity came precisely because of the character work she had developed independently through her digital IP.
From building ‘Ladaku Padosan’ for the internet to finding herself on the sets of a large-scale OTT production alongside some of the industry’s established actors, Waiting Hai marks an exciting new chapter for Niti Pandey. It is also a reflection of the increasingly fluid space between digital creators and mainstream entertainment, where characters first created for social media can find a new life within scripted storytelling.
Waiting Hai is currently streaming on Amazon MX Player, with Niti appearing in Episode 3, ‘Yatrigan Kripya Dhyaan Dein.’