BOX-OFFICE CLASH? PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK NOT A WORRY ON OTT, FEEL FILMMAKERS
Lockdown for me is the same as it is for others — it’s not fun at all,” says actor Sunny Leone, who recently flew to the US. Given the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, she says at this point, safety is priority. “We take this virus to whoever is back home,” she asserts, adding that the new normal is “not easy to get used to”.
Leone feels actors would be skeptical to do scenes that demand being close to one another, until there is a vaccine. She also believes people might be worried to visit theatres. “I definitely think people will watch movies on TV rather than in a theatre. We are going to see more shows and films at home instead of crowded, closed spaces like a theatre, at least for the next one year,” she opines.
With shooting having resumed, Leone feels fewer people on set would enable more efficiency. “You are going to have technicians who are skilled at what they do. Hopefully, there will be more room for people to learn the
What’s a Bollywood release without the quintessential clash at the box office, where two or more films vie for the audience’s attention? And there were many face-offs lined up for the year, but the Covid19 pandemic changed the equation as many films opted for the OTT route. Taking the box-office clashes with them.
But it’s no longer a worry for producers and exhibitors, as they don’t have to stress about getting enough screens in theatres. On July 31 for instance, three films are dropping on different OTT platforms — Shakuntala Devi, Raat Akeli Hai and Lootcase.
“It has been a period of disruptive thinking, we had to pull back and take some calls. I feel, in many ways, we need to learn to live in an environment where competition and clutter will exist. The good news here craft they’re working on,” she shares.
The actor, 39, has seen her share of lows in life, but is grateful to have had some “great people” around. She says, “Just like others, I’ve been in very low places in my life, some crazy things have happened. But I was never diagnosed with depression. Luckily, I have some great people around me and the ability within myself to heal and look past things. Most people who are depressed are usually alone, that’s a sad thing.” is that the universe of eyeballs is so large and the content offering so diverse, there is enough room for everyone,” says Vikram Malhotra, producer of Shakuntala Devi.
Director Tigmanshu Dhulia, whose film Yaara is releasing on July 30, on another OTT platform, says, “I don’t think clashes are a concern anymore because there are so many platforms. The shelf life of a project on the web is very long. Aisa nahi hai ki pehle din kisne dekha.”
Even with these clashes, it’s a win-win situation for everyone, feels film trade expert Girish Johar. He feels unlike earlier, when ‘smaller’ films would be given bad show timings and theatres, with the OTT platforms they’ve got a level playing field. “It’s been a challenge for smaller films to get screens. Even when they did, they’d be consumed by the big releases. This is a blessing in disguise for all such films. They don’t have to spend anything on promotions and marketing either,” he shares.
Flexibility of OTT platforms is what will make clashes redundant despite films releasing on the same dates, feels producer Anand Pandit, adding that rather than the clash of films, it might be a clash of the OTT platforms.
“If a films ends at 9pm on one platform, I can go to the other at 9.05pm and start another film. Clashes aren’t going to be how they used to be. Each film will have its breathing space. If I’ve subscribed to three platforms, I’ll watch all three, there’ll be no ‘either or’, like it used to be in theatres due to the tight budget every family has,” says Pandit, whose production, The Big Bull, is also headed for an OTT release.
So, how are release dates of the films decided on the web? A source from an OTT platform says weekend slots are most popular. “It’s decided mutually by the filmmakers and platforms. The lockdown is still there, but weekends are considered to be relatively free days when people have the time to watch something. Hence, most films are releasing on Fridays, resulting in so-called clashes,” he informs.
I have some great people around me and the ability within myself to heal and look past things. SUNNY LEONE ACTOR
The gold in its vaults are artefacts, part of our cultural heritage. MANU PILLAI AUTHOR