BOLLYWOOD BANKS ON OTT
As films with big names opt for the OTT space over the big screen, trade experts share their views on the changing trend
If makers feel a film will recover the cost of production on OTT instead of the box office, they go for it. ATUL MOHAN,
News of actor Kartik Aaryan’s Freddy and actor Vicky Kaushal’s
Govinda Naam Mera ditching a theatrical release and instead opting for an over-the-top (OTT) premiere has left industry insiders perplexed. They are now expecting that more projects backed by big names might also take the same route as makers are finding the digital space safer over the big screens for the success of their projects.
Even actors Sidharth Malhotra and Rashmika Mandanna’s Mission Majnu and actor Rakul Preet
Singh’s Chhatriwali are expected to get OTT releases. This comes after several Bollywood films including Thank God, Double XL, Phone Bhoot, Doctor G and Mili failed to elicit a favourable response at the box office this year.
Speaking on this change in trend, trade expert producer Girish Johar says no one in the Indian film fraternity is sure of what will work right now in theatres and so the lack of confidence. “Coming to thee box office and getting validation
Sugandha Rawal
Aneeds a lot of muscle now. I think they (audience) do not find it (going to theatres) worth the effort, and choose OTT as it is economical,” he says.
Meanwhile, trade expert Atul Mohan thinks that opting for the OTT space is a very calculated move by makers. He explains, “If makers feel a film will tank at the box office but will
ctor Lara Dutta Bhupathi is in an exciting phase of her life as there is a lot happening on various fronts for her.
Along with her entrepreneurial responsibilities, the actor has also been busy with back-to-back shooting schedules for her web shows and film projects. And while she is doing a fabulous job of managing everything, the 44-yearold admits that it is “a challenge” to balance her active acting career, entrepreneurial journey and family life all at once.
The actor admits that lately, she has also been working on exploring other horizons as a producer as well as expanding her role as an entrepreneur of a multi-product business brand, and the clash has come with fresh challenges for her. recover the cost of production on an OTT platform instead, they go for it. Because after release, if the film flops, the OTT and satellite deal also gets affected.” He also points out that this trend is working in favour of the streaming platforms as well, because they are getting more star power to pull in subscribers.
However, trade expert Taran Adarsh is worried with the new trend. “I am unable to understand why films are going to OTT when things have reopened after two years. I think makers find these films OTTfriendly. It’s strange because these projects have big b names attached to them,” he says.
Bhupathi reveals, “Five years ago, I thought that I would find the time to go into it (explore avenues apart from acting). But little did I know that the advent of OTT would make me busier than I have been during the last decade.”
The Hiccups and Hookups
(2021) actor, who credits her husband former tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi and daughter Saira for supporting her to sail through it all, says that she is teaching her daughter that it is very important for a woman to be financially independent and also to enjoy making her own money. Bhupathi feels that women are often taught that the money they earn should directly go into their homes, which should not be the case. “Women have almost no say in matters related to their own money which needs to change,” she wraps up.