A GLOBAL AUDIENCE, NO BOX OFFICE PRESSURE, DRAW DIRECTORS TO OTT

A format that allows creative freedom in storytelling, popularity of shows across languages, and a wide reach make streaming platforms popular with filmmakers

The digital space is not just a big draw for actors, writers and technicians to showcase their talent and get opportunities missed or not available to them in films, but also has been attracting a number of acclaimed filmmakers.

Last year, OTT platforms saw Kabir Khan’s directorial Forgotten Army, Neeraj Pandey’s Special OPS, Raj & DK’s outing Family Man, Ali Abbas Zafar’s Tandav and Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story.

Trade analyst Komal Nahta says, “On OTT, content is the star. Acclaimed directors are interested in OTT as they enjoy the long format and huge budgets. Moreover, there’s no tension of opening day figures and box-office performance. In fact, many top names from Bollywood have invaded OTT with stories which can’t be narrated in two-anda-half hours.

This year, things are gaining momentum as season 2 of Family Man will arrive soon, while Raj & DK are working on another series with Shahid Kapoor, Pandey is working on season 2 of Special Ops, and Vipul Shah will debut on OTT with a medical drama, Human.

Shah says OTT platforms give freedom to explore. “This entire process is very liberating as a filmmaker,” he says, adding, “The OTT content viewing has transformed the perspective of the audience as well as filmmakers. We are now able to enjoy the story, breaking away from the conventional forms of storytelling. Pablo Escobar was the central character of Narcos. OTT has changed that there is no hero or villain, heroine or hero— it is about the character and predominantly, stories.”

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee feels a better pace of storytelling and their passion to entertain audiences is what draws directors to OTT. “Due to the pandemic, it will take a while for the audience to return to theatres, so these creative minds (directors) want to entertain the audience in any way. Moreover, with the growth in the digital space, there are a number of new talents coming in and growth in jobs in every aspect of filmmaking has been tremendous. Producers too are comfortable and opting for OTT as risk is minimum,” he says.

Another reason directors are drawn to the medium is because not only can they tell extensive stories in different genres and languages, but they can also reach out to a global audience. Pandey says for him, the format is not predominant, it’s the story that dictates the format. “I think of myself as a storyteller. I have made stories for the big screen and since 2019, have been focussing on developing stories for streaming platforms. Whether we succeed or fail is immaterial, but we want to keep on pushing the envelope. I hope this does not stop at any juncture of our journey,” he shares.