PIRACY HITS OTT: PLATFORMS, PROJECTS SUFFER
Spite no box-office factor, experts share why is unethical practice affects shareholders
heatres or no theatres, piracy continues to run rampant and impact the film industry. Almost y direct-to-ott release has leaked for free downloads e, however, the latest case things to the next level. r Kriti Sanon’s Mimi got ed four days before its OTT se — scheduled for July 30 rcing makers to prepone release plans. e director of the film, man Utekar, agrees that y led to this. “It was Dinu’s ducer Dinesh Vijan) day, and then July 27 was ’s birthday, so we decided ke it as an opportunity [to se the film],” he tells us, continues, “I don’t know to describe [piracy], or how do we track this thing. Kuch samajh nahi aa raha iss baare mein.”
Trade expert Atul Mohan feels it has become easier for pirates as they don’t have to especially go to theatres and record the film. “Earlier, it took two-three days but now it’s a day-and-date release for the pirated versions,” he explains, adding that since the film was leaked before the release, someone from the postproduction studio, OTT platform or the production company might be responsible.
Talking about the impact piracy has on a project, producer Anand Pandit, whose film The Big Bull leaked within hours of streaming on an OTT platform, says, “[Though] there are no major financial repercussions for the producer, it impacts the OTT partner. Any kind of piracy is the worst thing for the industry. I condemn it.”
If someone is getting to see a film for free, why would they go and subscribe to an OTT platform, Utekar asks. “It’s very harmful to the makers. Dinu is thinking about taking action. Let’s see what happens,” he reveals. Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says the industry and law enforcement agencies have become “too complacent” in their fight against piracy. “In the case of theatres, the collective viewing experience is affected. But when you engage in piracy of web content, you’re consuming content through the same medium — mobiles and laptops. So, piracy has a harsher impact on OTTS than theatres,” Rathi shares.
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