The lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak has had a severe impact on the film industry. As theatres are shut down during the time being, it’s led to huge losses for all fractions of the movie business, including the exhibitors (theatres owners) and producers. While some filmmakers decided to hold back their films, other producers are releasing their films on OTT Platforms. largely for monetary reasons.
Over the last two days, an OTT platform announced the straight-to-digital release of two prominent Bollywood films – the Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Gulabo Sitabo (produced by Rising Sun Films) and Shakuntala Devi, headlined by Vidya Balan (produced by Abundantia Entertainment). Other South Indian films like Ponmagal Vandhal (Tamil), Penguin (Tamil and Telugu), Law (Kannada), French Biryani (Kannada) and Sufiyum Sujatayum (Malayalam) are also planning for a digital release. Exhibitors have strongly voiced their displeasure with this development as it adds to their revenue loss, which has already been a huge concern due to the temporary closure of theatres.
Siddharth Jain of INOX Group, evidently upset at the turn of events, said, “Today, as a cinema chain, I am forced to ask my producer friends, that when the cinemas ultimately open, what are they expecting me to show the audience there? Will anyone pay to watch an old film? What did hurt us as a part of this fraternity was the fact that the producers did not even speak to us about this before making a decision. The Multiplex Association of India had requested for this, but decisions were made unilaterally. It’s a 100-year-old relationship between production and exhibition. The last time when it experienced a jolt in 2008, it came out of it with flying colours. I am still hopeful for the same this time, too.”
Some of the other films that are reportedly considering a straight-to-digital release include Laxmmi Bomb, Jhund, Ludo, Mimi, Gunjan Saxena and Khaali Peeli.
Director Soojit Sircar said, “I definitely believe that both OTT and theatrical releases can co-exist, it all depends on the situation and time. I can’t predict whether this would become a trend. It ultimately depends on the kind of story and film you are making”
Shibasish Sarkar of Reliance Entertainment said, “We will hold on to our films like Sooryavanshi and 83 for as long as we can. A decision to move any of our films will be made jointly with the producing partners and the directors involved”
The big screen will not get replaced by OTT. Audiences will have more choice. They will go to the theatres. Many films will find their audience on OTT. But that is the future. Right now it is a battle for survival. If producers survive exhibitors will thrive. Live and let live. The producers and the director want the best for their film. One wants investments to be protected, the other wants her/his film to be experienced by maximum people over the longest duration of time. Why should exhibitors feel threatened? You win some, you lose some…
— Hansal Mehta, filmmaker
Producers guild said, “The Producers Guild would like to emphasize that we are unequivocally and passionately supportive of the theatrical release of films, and a theatrical release will always be the preference for movies that were conceptualized as a cinematic experience. But these are unprecedented times and it is imperative to see things in that context.”
We believe that theatrical release is the best way for audiences to experience the labour and creative genius of our filmmakers. We are disappointed with some producers deciding to go straight to streaming platform/s. We were hoping that they would accede to our request to hold back their film’s release till cinemas reopen
— Kamal Gianchandani of PVR Pictures
Requesting filmmakers to hold and release their films in theatres: Multiplex Association said,
We would like to urge all to support the cinema exhibition sector by holding and releasing their films in theatres, once they open again… to kindly respect the exclusive theatrical window, which has been a time-tested industry practice, agreed to by all stake-holders for several decades.
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