‘OTT and cinemas can co-exist’
Akshay hopeful that Bell Bottom will have a good run
We are hopeful of getting a good release in the theatres. We have not been seeing big films in the theatres, we have only been watching them on TV (via OTT). Having said that, it is important that people follow protocols
— Akshay
Though theatres across the country are just opening up, and in Maharashtra even that first step has not been taken, the makers of the Akshay Kumar film Bell Bottom took the bold decision to release the film in the cinemas on August 19.
Akshay says he’s is hoping for a revival. “We are hopeful of getting a good release in the theatres. We have not been seeing big films in the theatres, we have only been watching them on TV (via OTT). Having said that, it is important that people follow protocols,” he said, adding, “We are still almost three weeks away from the release, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.”
The actor is proud that
Bell Bottom was the first film in the world to begin shooting during the pandemic. “A crew of
125 people were flown into Glasgow,” he beams.
Akshay, who shares screen space with Vaani
Kapoor for the first time, is all praises for her. “She has learnt to act and do well in three films in her career while I took 40 movies,” he says.
Akshay’s last release Laxmmi was on an OTT platform. “We had no choice. The theatres were not opening up and the interest rates (on the money borrowed to make the film) were going up. So we released the film,” he says.
The actor is sure that the fun of watching films in the theatre will always remain. “Despite the digital boom, people want to experience films on the big screen. I remember my younger days when I used to watch films in the theatres. I even braved
the rain and bought a ticket in black to see Amar Akbar
Anthony,” he reminisces, and stresses that “The OTT and theatres are different mediums and can
co-exist.”