Festival favourite films hit on OTT
More and more films are getting a release on OTT platforms, after having made waves at film festivals
OTT platforms have often been credited for creating a level playing field for actors, content creators and storytellers. And not growing reach and a demand for even more variety, the digital platform is also proving to be a fertile ground for the content that would previously remain limited to foreign film festivals.
One of such recent example is Rohena Gera’s Sir – a very impactful tale of rediscovering love and shattering class divide. It has struck the right chord with the audiences upon its release on an OTT platform. The film starring Tillotama Shome and Vivek Gomber,
had premiered at the Cannes Critics’ Week in 2018.
“The film, after its premiere at Cannes, also travelled to other festivals around the world. It released in many European countries and also Japan. My heart was really into getting it to the Indian audiences. So I’m happy that it finally has reached the masses here. There are so many amazing films that are there that you don’t know of. I think that is the challenge. The OTT platforms are a gigantic library. People can watch what they want to watch,” shares Gera.
Other recent examples of films that have made it from festivals to the OTT includes Arati Kadav’s sci-fi drama, Cargo, starring Vikrant Massey, which premiered at the 2019 MAMI Film Festival, Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival, and Pareeksha, that premiered at the 50th International Film Festival of India.
Happy that her film could reach to a wider audience by getting an OTT release, Kadav says, “I feel so positive with the response especially the way young college students are connecting with the film,
creating videos, making art and writing about its theme.”
Divya Dutta, whose film Ram Singh Charlie, screened at many film festivals including London Indian Film Festival, before its release on an OTT platform, also credits the medium for greater visibility. “The OTT release was a great help to the film. It made it more visible and so many people ended up watching it,” she adds.
Chote Nawab, starting Akshay Oberoi, is also releasing on OTT after having won the best feature film award at The Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati. Oberoi feels the concept of bringing films to OTT from festivals, helps in better reach. “International (recognition) means more audience, which is good for actor and the film. When a film does good internationally, it gives you credibility,” he said.
The OTT platforms are a gigantic library. People can watch what they want to watch.
ROHENA GERA,
Filmmaker