It is safe to say that the OTT platforms, in the last one year, have helped Bollywood in more ways than one. Yet, one mustn’t forget that the online medium did run into trouble numerous times. Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, who agrees that the OTT has been a saving grace for many films, adds that it “nevertheless faced its share of problems”.

“It is said that sometimes people get upset with things that even Gods grant them with,” says the Welcome (2007) director, adding, “Naturally, people have started feeling offended about many things. Of course, I feel it is wrong to hurt someone’s emotions or sentiments, but I also feel that no one does that intentionally.”

He says that these days, numerous issues fanned as “controversies” are purely baseless and can be done away with. “If anyone gets offended with anything, it is absolutely their right. But it is also true that sometimes the outrage against a film or a TV show creates a mountain out of a molehill.”

Bazmee says that he has no idea as to how one should control it, yet, it seems to have had an effect on the industry. “The film industry has always been a soft target. There is definitely a huge difference between the films that we made earlier, and the ones we are making today. The makers are creative people. They would much rather sit in solace somewhere and not get into this mess. But today, filmmakers are much more conscious about offending someone. This, I feel, affects creativity someway or the other,” adds.

The director is currently shooting for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 starring Kartik Aaryan and Tabu, and hopes that the theatrical movie watching experience returns soon. “Larger-than-life films are best enjoyed in theatres. Many have realised that nothing matches the collective viewing experience,” he says.