HOW THEATRES, OTTS WILL COEXIST IN 2021
Industry experts feel both will strike a fine balance, in which the consumer will gain
Sitting in a dark hall with strangers, watching your favourite stars on a big screen, was replaced by viewing content mainly from the comfort of home last year, owing to the pandemic. But with things crawling back to normal, will the convenience of OTT platforms be replaced by the community experience of theatres? Will OTT win the war? Or is there a middle ground of happy coexistence?
Bhumi Pednekar, who had two OTT releases last year – Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare and Durgamati, says, “Of course a cinematic experience is unique in itself, but with OTTs, the reach has increased. Both have their own charm and are here to stay.”
Gearing up for the OTT release of two of his films, The Big Bull and Chehre, producer Anand Pandit says OTTs and theatres will work together. “I believe nothing can replace the excitement of watching movies on the silver screen. But the OTT wave is here to stay. The brighter side of this story is both can coexist,” he says.
Some filmmakers are already on the path of coexistence. Filmmaker Akarsh Khurana, who recently helmed a web series, Mismatched, and is directing Taapsee Pannu-starrer Rashmi Rocket, says, “The crisis we went through last year opened up new avenues for the industry. OTT has a loyal audience and cinema does too. Now all platforms will get their time in the sun.”
Actor Vidya Balan, whose film Shakuntala Devi, that was meant for theatrical release but made its way to a digital platform, feels OTTs are here to stay. “As actors we would love to amp it up and be part of different stories on different platforms,” she points out.
Siddharth Anand Kumar, of Saregama and Yoodlee Films, feels it depends on the consumer. “These mediums have been at odds with each other, that needs to change. Ultimately for any business to succeed, you have to make it convenient for consumers. And I think OTTs and theatres have different a convenience,” he shares.