One of the biggest discussions in Bollywood right now is about the gap between a film’s Theatrical Release and its arrival on OTT platforms. Two of the industry’s biggest superstars, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar, have found themselves on opposite sides of this debate, each with a very different opinion on what is best for the film business.
While Aamir has been strongly pushing for a longer, six-month window to protect cinemas, Akshay believes a shorter gap is more practical and fair for everyone involved, including the streaming services that invest in films.
Akshay Kumar’s Take: ‘Three Months Is Okay’
In a recent interview, Akshay Kumar shared his thoughts, suggesting that a six-month wait is too long. He argued that since OTT platforms pay huge amounts of money for a film’s digital rights, they should also be able to benefit from the deal in a timely manner.
“According to me, a three-month gap is okay. Six months is too long because at the end of the day, the OTT platform is paying you for the digital rights. They also need to benefit from the deal,” he stated. Akshay also pointed out that producers often blame OTT for their films not working, instead of looking at the quality of the films they are making. “We don’t consider that maybe we’re not making the right films,” he remarked.
Aamir Khan’s Stance: Protect The Theatres
On the other hand, Aamir Khan has been a long-time supporter of a significant gap between theatrical and streaming releases. He believes that the shrinking window is one of the main reasons why fewer people are going to watch movies in theatres.
His belief was strengthened after his recent production, Laapataa Ladies. The film did average business in cinemas but became hugely popular once it was released on Netflix. Following this, Aamir doubled down on his demand for a minimum six-month gap to save the magic of the big-screen experience. Currently, most films follow an eight-week (two-month) model.
Akshay On Hard Work, Luck, And Watching OTT
During the conversation, Akshay also got candid about his own life and career. He admitted that he watches a lot of content on OTT platforms, not just for fun but also to find new talent for his own movies.
In a humble moment, he spoke about the role of luck in his success. “Thirty percent is hard work… but you also need that 70% luck to make it,” he shared. “When I enter a studio, I often see a struggler better looking, a better dancer, and who does better action than me, but he hasn’t gotten a chance yet.”
About The Theatrical Vs. OTT Debate
The debate over the theatrical-to-OTT window concerns the ideal time gap between a film’s release in cinemas and its debut on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others. While producers and theatre owners often prefer a longer window to maximize box office revenue, OTT platforms push for a shorter gap to attract subscribers. Currently, the industry standard in India is an eight-week window.
(Also read: Salman Khan’s Fiery Weekend Ka Vaar: The Bigg Boss 19 Host Takes A Dig At Abhinav Kashyap Over Podcast Allegations )
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