The coronavirus pandemic hit the entertainment sector like a punch in the gut. The government enforced a nationwide lockdown, which resulted in the closure of all theatres across the country. Several directors released their films via OTT platforms around this time. While this was the only practical alternative for producers, it has not gone over well with theatre owners.
OTT platforms are releasing a variety of films. To prevent further delays and financial losses, the majority of the filmmakers avoided the theatre premiere and opted to present their films on various platforms.
And, while it’s hoped that the cinematic experience will triumph in the end, it’s still a question of when. The broader concern is whether moviegoing will continue to be a popular pastime once the Covid-19 storm has passed.
The films that would never have made it to OTT platforms if it hadn’t been for the pandemic chose the digital world, and the entertainment industry as a whole changed for us. Among the films are Akshay Kumar’s Laxmmi, Vidya Balan’s Shakuntala Devi, Anurag Basu’s Ludo, Alia Bhatt’s Sadak 2, Varun Dhawan’s Coolie No. 1 and so on. Because the wait was getting longer, several films went the OTT route.
As a result, films that would give us amazing experience if watched in cinema halls started streaming on digital platforms. Farhan Akhtar’s Toofaan is a recent release that we will be monitoring on digital platforms. If the film had been released in theatres, it would have undoubtedly been a fantastic experience.
Big budget films like Ajay Devgn’s Bhuj: The Pride Of India and Sidharth Malhotra’s Shershaah are among the forthcoming slate of films that were recently announced. If this trend continues, when will we be able to see movies in movie theatres again, and when will theatre owners be able to return back to business?
Although Akshay Kumar announced the July 27th release date for his much anticipated film Bell Bottom, it appears to be a long shot for the time being.
(Also read: Exclusive: Akshay Kumar’s Bell Bottom to release in cinema halls in 3D with 4 weeks OTT premiere clause, more details here!)
It’s anticipated that the crowds will return as soon as the theatres open. People are presumably yearning the movie experience after consuming stuff on OTT for such a long time.
If we look at the South’s theatre business, we can see how well they are doing. For example, when the Tamil film Master was premiered in theatres, it shattered numerous box office records.
If the same approach is taken in the Hindi film industry, there is a good probability that cinemas will be revived.
