Sharad opens up on theatre vs OTT
With many Bollywood movies skipping a theatre release and premiering on OTT platforms, actor Sharad Kelkar points out that it’s only the “producer’s call” to decide the release platform. Insisting that OTT is the only feasible option as theatres are shut amid the Covid-19 lockdown, Kelkar, 43, says, “Producers take loans, invest in films and wait for its release, so that they can recover money and pay the cast and crew. It’s the question of the welfare of everyone associated with the project. It is, thus, important to release the movie, so that everybody gets paid.”
The actor, however, is quick to point out that the experience of watching movies on digital platforms is not the same as visiting movie theatres. “Films have a cinematic charm, largerthan-life picturisation and sound effects that can best be experienced on the big screen,” he asserts.
With three of his movies in the pipeline, Kelkar is also concerned about the impact of this trend on the theatre culture. “I don’t know how it will benefit the movies commercially, but yes, the buzz of a Friday release and the weekend collections is something which we all will miss,” says the actor, while also acknowledging the wide reach of online platforms.
“Digital entertainment is the king in today’s time and looking at the worldwide reach, massive subscribers and the option to watch content anytime, anywhere, gives an advantage to OTTs. But I’ll still love my film to release in theatre,” Kelkar signs off.