While actor-filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia does acknowledge that OTT platforms have changed the appetite of audiences, he says that there is still a long way to go before he can consider our audience intelligent.

“I don’t think we can say that the audience is smart now. It is not that the audience has become very intelligent. A small portion of the pie is conscious of content. Kayi ghatiya films bhi chali hain,” he says.

Dhulia, who directed the web series The Great Indian Murder, believes that the digital shift was inevitable.

“This was bound to happen. Covid-19 just kind of accelerated the process,” he continues, “I have been saying this for the past 15 years that only big films will work in cinemas. The films of actors Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Aamir Khan are big-screen experiences. But the problem is these stars do very limited number of films. So, now it is up to the audience to decide whether or not they want to go to cinemas and watch all kinds of films.”

The Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster films director adds that getting people to the cinemas is going to be a huge challenge now.

“The nearest cinema from my house is just seven minutes away but I still don’t watch all films. My reasons are different though, because with the eating and everything, it’s not a peaceful process anymore. Also, we have to understand that ticket rates are very high, mehengai bahut hai iss desh mein. Everybody can’t afford to spend Rs. 2,000 for every movie outing,” he concludes.