With hardly any theatre releases last year, the OTT space churned out some spectacular content. And now, while there’s more to expect, a number of movie releases are lined up in theatres as well. Richa Chadha’s Madam Chief Minister recently released in theatres, and now she has three digital projects, Candy, Six Suspects and Inside Edge 3, lined up this year.

When asked whether OTT platforms and theatres could eat into each other’s share, the actor says, “There is no box-office pressure on OTT, but as it exists in cinemas, makers feel the need to include songs, action sequences, etc, for a good opening. I feel, several directors — like Sudhir Mishra in Serious Men — are able to perform better when they get backing from an OTT platform.”

Chadha, however, also feels, “The big cinema experience is unmatched and a film releasing on 35mm has a better chance at competing for National awards and film festivals, hence a lot of directors prefer that.”

Hoping that the government gives an impetus to the film industry “by reducing taxes on ticket prices”, she stresses, “Cinema chains have suffered a lot due to the lockdown. But when things start getting better, people won’t confine themselves into their homes. Policymakers should bring down ticket costs so that cinema doesn’t become such a novelty, especially in these times.”