‘With the vacuum last year, there’s a catch-up feeling in the industry now’
As things started to look up for the entertainment industry at the beginning of this year,
Sanjay Suri says, “There was a catch-up feeling in the industry as there was a huge vacuum in between. And once things started opening up, people had to finish the pending work and new work was starting as well. I feel it was already getting busy for many and it was a good sign.”
However, the second wave of Covid-19 put a full stop on shoots yet again. Given the lockdown in many states, the actor feels that just like last year, OTT platforms would probably take prominence this time, too. “With the availability and access to web platforms, loads of content is needed and so there’s room for all under the sky,” he adds.
The 50-year-old, who has been part of multiple OTT projects such as Leila, Mentalhood, Bhram, Ateet and Pareeksha, notes how a change has come about in the realm of entertainment. “I think disruption has happened for sure,” says Suri, adding that even though OTT platforms are rising, theatres will never cease to exist.
“When Whatsapp came
[Before the second wave], it was already getting busy for many and it was a good sign. SANJAY SURI, Actor
in, we never stopped using text messages. Similarly, the web and theatres will coexist. It’s not that one will replace the other. Theatres cater to a much wider audience and by that, I mean different strata of society.
It’s more event-based. You know a film is releasing on a particular date, so it is like your date with your film,” the actor explains.
Also, pointing out how certain films are only enjoyed in the cinemas, he says, “It’s just like when we want to watch a big match in the stadium. Some mainstream films released on OTT and did not work. But if they’d have had a theatrical release, they would have worked because of sheer star power and marketing. I’m hoping that soon the excitement of watching films on the big screen will come back to our lives.”