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ACTORS’ TALK!
open up and when the graph is going to go high. So do you take the plunge or do you have the money to hold on?”
Trade expert,
Taran Adarsh says the “industry is divided on this as exhibitors may not like it.” He adds, “I understand that the producers may be feeling the pinch vis-à-vis their investments but theatres will open soon.” Producer Bhushan Kumar admits OTTs may be a “viable option for smaller films but big-budget, tent-pole movies can’t do their entire recovery [of budgets] just from them.”
For the uninitiated, theatres have been shut since March. Exhibitordistributor Akshaye Rathi feels that a producer is “totally free to take a call, which is in his best interest”. “That way, exhibitors-distributors are also free to do that. The question isn’t about the next two quarters but of the coming 20 years’ relationship. You need to be a visionary and not trader at this point,” he says.
However, Alok Tandon, CEO, INOX Leisure Ltd, says, “In these times, we want the
Actors, on their part, feel “makers know and will do what’s best for their films.” As Kiara Advani, who stars in Laxmmi Bomb and Shershaah, puts it: “There are certain films, which are meant for only a cinematic experience, while others can go on OTTs.” On the other hand, Kriti Sanon admits she will be “sad” if her new film, Mimi were to release on OTT. “We are all watching stuff on OTT platforms [during lockdown], but I feel it still doesn’t reach the masses. I want Mimi to reach the masses. And it’s also a beautiful film,” she said in an
interview.
entire ecosystem to show solidarity and value each other’s significance, and not behave like fair-weather friends.” But Aparna Acharekar programming head - ZEE5, which is set to release Ghoomketu, says, “You have to be where the consumer is. The industry doesn’t define where they want to be, consumers make the industry.”
Trade analyst Girish Johar feels this transition was set to happen in two years but has happened in three months.