OTT gets a dose of male chauvinism Producers push female-centric movies for digital release while male-centric ones get to await theatre releases. Why the discrimination?
Chiru, Ram Charan and wife Upasana, among others, face the wrath of a swarm of honeybees
Hotshot actor Ram had recently commented that OTT platform is only for producers who make films purely for business and not with passion. The statement is especially significant in the light of Telugu filmmakers seemingly pushing female-centric movies on the OTT platforms even as they offer male stars such as Nani and Ram more time for their theatrical releases when the actors seem reluctant for digital premiers.
However, unlike the male stars, Anushka Shetty, who proved she is a crowd puller, with big hits such as Arundhati and Bhaagmathe, has left the choice of releasing her upcoming thriller Nishabdham to her producers. Similarly, Penguin, the upcoming Tamil-Telugu movie in which reigning diva and National-Award winner Keerthy Suresh plays another challenging role, is also set to hit the digital screens on June 19.
Given the circumstances, it is difficult not to wonder if this smacks of male chauvinism.
Leading producer Suresh Babu tells us that according to him, OTT rates are not fancy enough for top producers to cheer about. “I think it is less to do with discrimination and more to do with present crisis situation. With no clarity on theatrical releases, women-based films find an early window. Also, women-centric movies don’t guarantee initial openings,” says the producer.
In fact, Suresh points out that digital screenings are not altogether new. “Moreover, we sell theatrical and digital rights separately. The only difference is that now digital screenings are coming first. Their offers best suit medium-and small-range movies but not for lavishly made star-centric movies where a lot of money is spent on songs and action sequences. Hence, femalecentric filmmakers are cashing on the digital platforms,” he adds.
CONSENT VERSUS COMPULSIONS
Even if one were to go by Suresh Babu’s logic, is it not necessary for producers to seek the consent of the lead female stars
Anushka Shetty’s
Nishabdham and
Penguin,
before signing these deals?
“Frankly, it is the prerogative of the producer, so consent is not key,” producer Mahesh Koneru says. Mahesh, incidentally, is making the big-ticket movie Miss India with the talented Keerthy Suresh in the lead. Then when we ask Vivek Kuchibotla, co-producer of Nishabdham, to explain his choice of releasing the film on the digital platform, he clarifies that they are yet to ink the deal with the digital platform.
“Despite the speculations making
the rounds, we haven’t signed the deal although discussions are still ongoing. Also, we don’t take unilateral decisions; instead, we take the opinions of all stakeholders, including our star heroine Anushka, the producers and the director. So, we will take a final call after another round of discussion after exploring all options,” he tells us. Sharing another viewpoint, Mahesh Koneru tells us why they may be compelled to take the OTT route. “We had wanted to release the film in April this year, but the lockdown hit us hard. So also, I believe the OTT offers have come in like a blessing in disguise, when the scenario of theatres is fluid in both the Telugu states. Of course, there is no match to the bigscreen magic and big collections too, unlike the digital platforms, where the digital heads pay us a one-time amount,” he explains, adding, “We are willing to wait till August to get some clarity on single screens; otherwise, we have to take the OTT route,” he concludes.
I think it is less to do with discrimination and more to do with present crisis situation. With no clarity on theatrical releases, women-based films find an early window. Also, women-centric movies don’t guarantee initial openings
— Suresh Babu,
We had wanted to release the film in April this year, but the lockdown hit us hard. So also, I believe the OTT offers have come in like a blessing in disguise, when the scenario of theatres is fluid in both the Telugu states. Of course, there is no match to the bigscreen magic and big collections too, unlike the digital platforms, where the digital heads pay us a onetime amount
— Vivek Kuchibotla,