POST- COVID: SHOULD THE MOVIE BE A THEATRICAL RELEASE OR AN OTT RELEASE?

In light of the current situation, the theaters have been shut down which has increased the subscriptions for the OTT platform and this has resulted in a major loss to the theater business. The film industry has always been a huge part of the Indian audience and a rich source of entertainment as well. Going to the theater was often considered a social occasion, but since the theater shut down due to the current pandemic, many people miss going to the theater. Film buffs who miss going to films, additionally have the alternative to watch the film on an OTT stage in half a month’s time notwithstanding thorough libraries of unique and worldwide content, however.

Being a huge movie buff, I surely would enjoy watching movies on the big screen of a theater with advanced audio and visual effects. The atmosphere of the theater makes you feel as though you are part of the movie itself which I personally found a major setback while watching movies on OTT platforms. According to Ronnie Lahiri, the Producer of Gulabo Sitabo, “The movie when theatrical releases, risks are involved, but with an OTT release there is a fixed sum guaranteed”. He further adds that when the audience rejects the movie, there is no assurance of a minimum guarantee. So in a way movie being released on the OTT platform might provide a safe landing for the producers as there is a fixed revenue and the risk of incurring losses is comparatively low when compared to theatrical release.

Though post-covid there may be certain permanent changes in the film industry, but again it’s a blurry word, there is no guarantee about it. Though there is a huge demand for the theatrical release safety must be kept in mind. And theaters being high exposure places right from restrooms to snack counters to the seating, might not be safe even post-covid. For the film industry to stay afloat it is necessary to release the movies both on the OTT platform as well as the theaters. The Covid -19 pandemic brought a lot of new customers into the OTT category and they will stick on to it because the time spent on entertainment has gone up and so has the trend to stream them. And due to this, the OTT platform has seen around a 30-40% spike in the paid subscribers over the past year. Due to the current situation and to avoid huge losses the filmmakers are choosing to release their movies on the OTT platform instead of delaying the release. And also the filmmakers are finding it beneficial to release the movies on the OTT platform as it cuts down the expenses on advertising and printing. Since they sell their film rights over to the OTT platforms, the revenue is fixed despite the negative reactions of the audience. But revenue is uncertain in the box office because there are chances that a very good movie might not be critically acclaimed. But the post-covid scenes might be a little different because the movies might be only released in the theaters or OTT platform; it depends on the audience response. Both the filmmakers as well as the OTT platforms need to monetize the project that is ready and moreover, the OTT players require fresh content. Since the urgent need is from both sides, it seems to be a win-win situation.

According to filmmaker Shyam Benegal, “The cinema offers a larger than life experience, which cannot be replicated easily by television or OTT platforms. Films can be seen by several means. However, going to the cinema hall adds an important dimension. It becomes a social occasion and a collective experience. Both are here to co-exist. The passionate cinema lovers of our country for sure have their appetite for the giant screen with no bounds, whenever normalcy would be. Theaters will never go out of business even after post-covid because the audience wants the experience which the OTT platform fails to give. I personally believe that the OTT platform is the mere replacement of the theater because of the current situation and once the pandemic is over people would surely want to watch the films in the traditional manner”.