OTT RELEASES BACK IN THEATRES: A VIABLE OPTION?
We ask experts about the feasibility of OTT-to-theatre releases
When will theatres reopen is the big question on everyone’s mind in the film industry. Shoots have resumed, actors are ready, but what about the venue that showcases their work? Many filmmakers have opted to release their ready films on OTT platforms instead — Gulabo Sitabo, Shakuntala Devi, Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl, to name a few. While speculation is rife that September might see theatres getting back to business, makers are likely to remain apprehensive about theatrical releases, considering the audience might be scared to venture out. Could these OTT releases be used again to test waters?
DIVIDED OPINIONS
Shibasish Sarkar, CEO, Reliance Entertainment, says it depends on the choice of the platforms. “When a producer has sold the rights of his movies, they lie with the OTT platforms. If they want to release, they may... Unless it’s not in the contract, it’s not the producer’s choice,” he tells us.
Earlier this year, Baaghi 3 had just released when the Covid-19 outbreak hit the country and theatres had to be closed. Actor Tiger Shroff had told us then that they were hoping to come back to theatres, even after it came on an OTT platform. “The bigger picture is the safety of people... Let’s see once the situation settles; perhaps we may rerelease,” he had said.
Meanwhile, producer Anand Pandit, who has decided to release his film The Big Bull on OTT, says he is up for rerelease of such films theatrically. “Why not? It depends on the contract you have, and also whether it’s viable... But you have to do your analysis. If your films is more B- and C- centric, single screen type, then it is a good thing to consider; they might not have seen it on OTT,” he reasons, adding, “Producers could also buy back the rights, but not at the same price.”
Director Tigmanshu Dhulia, whose film Yaara released directly on a digital platform recently, says chances look slim. “It depends on when theatres will open, and how much content is there to exhibit... There might be some chance of these OTT films releasing, but it’s slim. So much money will have to be put on marketing,” he says.
Theatre owners, on the other hand, are apprehensive if OTTto-theatre releases would work. Manoj Desai, executive director of G7 Multiplex and Maratha Mandir cinema, Mumbai, says, “If people are getting to watch films in their bedrooms, why would they come to theatres? The public won’t come to theatres in the beginning when theatres reopen as everyone is scared. Also, we don’t know what kind of [social distancing] guidelines we’d get, like seat people keeping one vacant in between. How will a couple sit? They would prefer to watch it comfortably on digital... I have three theatres with a capacity for 1,000 people; it will come down to 450. How will I accommodate everyone? I will have to incur charges on air conditioning and maintenance, too.”