Why Good Stories Go Unseen -Part One

To the Storyteller Who Was Told “No”

You did everything right. You poured your heart into that story.
You wrote, rewrote, doubted, believed again, and finally… sent it out.
To platforms. To producers. To people who might understand.
And then — nothing. Or worse, a polite rejection.

It hurts, doesn’t it?

You’re Not Alone — And You’re Not Wrong

This system isn’t always fair.
In fact, it can be painfully personal when it pretends to be objective.

India today boasts over 40 OTT platforms and at least 10 active streaming networks, each competing for attention in a crowded entertainment market. Yet, ironically, audiences still struggle to find truly meaningful or memorable content. The question arises — how can there be so many platforms, yet such a gap in emotionally resonant storytelling? The answer is more complex than just supply and demand.

The Problem Isn’t Always Your Story

You might be wondering:

“Was my idea not strong enough? Did I fail to impress?”

But maybe the problem wasn’t your story.
Maybe the problem was the way it was seen — or not seen at all.

Because behind every “content acquisition team” or “story review panel” sits a human being — with their own preferences, moods, assumptions, and yes, blind spots.
Stories, unlike numbers, are felt — not measured.
And sometimes, even the best ones are missed because they don’t match a current trend, or simply land in front of someone who wasn’t ready to receive it.

The Invisible Gap Between Stories and Screens

Content creators writers, independent filmmakers, storytellers  are more abundant and inspired than ever before. They pitch ideas, submit screenplays, and make short films hoping for discovery. Yet, many find themselves ignored, misunderstood, or dismissed. Not necessarily because their content lacked quality, but because of a subjective evaluation process, often dictated by:

• Personal taste of decision-makers
   
• Internal biases (favoritism, nepotism)
   
• Perceived market trends rather than actual human emotion
   
• Misjudgment by rushed readers or gatekeepers who skim, not feel
   

Many stories that could have touched millions are lost simply because they didn't "fit in" with a buyer’s personal vision — not because the audience wouldn’t have loved them.

 

The Psychology Behind Rejection

Evaluating stories isn’t the same as judging products. Storytelling is emotional, personal, and cultural. What moves one person may not move another. And in an industry that depends on decisions made by individuals (content heads, acquisition teams, readers), many projects fall through the cracks — not because they lack merit, but because of emotional mismatch or unconscious bias.

In many cases:

• People prefer “safe” or “familiar” content over bold, original ideas.
   
• Decision-makers lean toward what they know sells, not what might.
   
• New creators without big names are often overlooked, regardless of talent.
   

This builds a culture where genuine creativity is stifled, and great stories go untold.

 

Is It Nepotism or Just Comfort Zones?

While nepotism and favoritism do exist, the deeper problem is risk-aversion and echo chambers. Platforms may not always intentionally exclude outsiders, but they often gravitate toward what feels "safe" — stories from known creators, popular themes, or influencers with followers.

This leads to a repetitive content cycle — remakes, formula films, and trending tropes, while more original stories struggle for attention.

So what is the solution ? Continue reading the second part of this this blog