No time for sentiments on OTT vs theatre: Kirti
Kirti Kulhari is a big fan of web content and the reach that OTT platforms offer. And maybe that’s why when asked her take on the current OTT versus theatre release debate, the actor doesn’t see any problem if a maker wants to choose either of them during this ongoing pandemic.
Kulhari tells us, “Everyone is looking out for themselves, which is understandable. The whole theatre thing is a big question mark right now… (There’s no harm in releasing) a film which is ready technically, theatrically.
Right now, distributors are at the receiving end. Rather than letting everyone suffer, somebody can get their money back if they have a deal.”
Citing the global viewership of web content, the actor, 35, explains, “OTT platforms are there in 140 countries. The kind of reach is humongous, so why not? It’s not (the time) to get sentimental about things. Producers take their chance to secure themselves first and (also) have a reach, which is what every filmmaker looks for. If you have finished the film, do you want to wait for whatever time or ultimately get it out?”
However, she doesn’t deny that cinema has its own charm and maintains that nothing else can replace that experience. “Cinema is very experiential. It’s about experiencing something on a 70mm screen. That’s irreplaceable. But practically speaking, I also feel that OTT has worked out very well in terms of my work reaching a lot of people,” shares Kulhari.