It has been over a year since the Coronavirus pandemic disrupted the release plan of the sports drama, ’83, delaying it not once but twice, but actor Saqib Saleem feels the wait is worth it. “The wait for '83 feels eternal now. I think the whole country is waiting for it, and I am too,” says Saleem, who will be essaying the role of Mohinder Amarnath in the film about Indian cricket team’s victory in the 1983 World Cup.

He continues, “Now, with films getting announced and plans to reopen theatres, I hope there’ll be an announcement soon... If I talk about my excitement level, it is sky high!”

While he’s glad that his film has booked a big screen outing, he is not averse to the idea of releasing films directly on an OTT platform. “Everybody is working so that we can give people a good film and a good show. And at that time (during the lockdown), it was the only way to consume content. So, I don’t see any harm in films taking the OTT route,” admits the actor.

In fact, the 33-year-old calls it a positive step, with the audience also accepting the new form of release. “And when theatres reopen, you will see films going back to the theatres again. But yes, it definitely has opened up a new market,” says Saleem, who is also exploring his poetic side, with his latest poem — titled Insaniyat — being about the selflessness of people during the second wave.

Active in the digital space, Saleem has a lot in store, as he reveals, “I’ll announce a film I’m working on, then there’s second season of Crackdown. I’m also working on another web project.”