With Gulabo Sitabo and Shakuntala Devi going the OTT way, many films are likely to follow suit. We talk to industry experts and actors about the same
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 15, 2020)

It goes without saying that the ongoing Coronavirus lockdown has dealt a severe blow to Bollywood’s business. And with no clarity in sight about theatres re-opening in the near future, it seems filmmakers have started to consider releasing their relatively smaller movies directly on OTT platforms. In fact, the first ones off the hook — officially speaking — are Shoojit Sircar-directed Gulabo Sitabo, Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Ghoomketu and Vidya Balan-starrer Shakuntala Devi.

Not just that, there have been talks that a number of other films such as Laxmmi Bomb, Jhund, Ludo, and Roohi-Afzana among others may also go the OTT way. Raj Nidimoru of director duo Raj & DK likens the situation to a stock market, as he says, “Filmmakers are waiting, and we don’t know when theatres are going to open up and when the graph is going to go high. So do you take the plunge or do you have the money to hold on?”

Trade expert, Taran Adarsh says the “industry is divided on this as exhibitors may not like it.” He adds, “I understand that the producers may be feeling the pinch vis-à-vis their investments but theatres will open soon.” Producer Bhushan Kumar admits OTTs may be a “viable option for smaller films but big-budget, tent-pole movies can’t do their entire recovery [of budgets] just from them.”

For the uninitiated, theatres have been shut since March. Exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi feels that a producer is “totally free to take a call, which is in his best interest”. “That way, exhibitors-distributors are also free to do that. The question isn’t about the next two quarters but of the coming 20 years’ relationship. You need to be a visionary and not trader at this point,” he says.

However, Alok Tandon, CEO, INOX Leisure Ltd, says, “In these times, we want the entire ecosystem to show solidarity and value each other’s significance, and not behave like fair-weather friends.” But Aparna Acharekar - programming head - ZEE5, which is set to release Ghoomketu, says, “You have to be where the consumer is. The industry doesn’t define where they want to be, consumers make the industry.”

Trade analyst Girish Johar feels this transition was set to happen in two years but has happened in three months.

Actors’ talk!
Actors, on their part, feel “makers know and will do what’s best for their films.” As Kiara Advani, who stars in Laxmmi Bomb and Shershaah, puts it: “There are certain films, which are meant for only a cinematic experience, while others can go on OTTs.” On the other hand, Kriti Sanon admits she will be “sad” if her new film, Mimi were to release on OTT. “We are all watching stuff on OTT platforms [during lockdown], but I feel it still doesn’t reach the masses. I want Mimi to reach the masses. And it’s also a beautiful film,” she said in an interview.