The Coronavirus outbreak all over the world has caused havoc. Declared as a pandemic, the novel COVID-19 has affected several businesses and industries. With the lockdown that the Government of India imposed to curb the impact of the virus, films that were lined up to release in the month of March, April and May have been pushed ahead indefinitely. While the lockdown will be likely lifted on May 3, it is still uncertain whether cinema halls will be classified as safe for visitors anytime soon. Owing to this, makers of upcoming films, including Kriti Sanon's Mimi and Sunny Kaushal-Radhika Madan-Diana Penty-Mohit Raina starrer Shiddat, are reportedly in talks for a direct digital release. Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films who is producing both the projects is said to be exploring the option of an OTT release. A source close to the development informed an entertainment portal that if digital opening allows a free-flow of viewership and profits, the idea will be considered.
"It all depends on the financial viability. He would let go of theatrical release only if he gets the amount that ensures ample table profit for him. Money aside, there are constant discussions going on with his actors and directors about the digital release, since this is an extraordinary scenario. It’s all early talks being initiated and depends on how things pan out in the future. They are just exploring a probable option at the moment,” the source told.
CONFIRMED... Sunny Kaushal, Radhika Madan, Mohit Raina and Diana Penty in #Shiddat... Directed by Kunal Deshmukh... Written by Shridhar Raghavan and Dheeraj Rattan... Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Bhushan Kumar... Official announcement: pic.twitter.com/HkYPAAg27g
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 16, 2019
A couple of renowned trade analysts, during an interview with the entertainment portal, told that OTT release for smaller films can prove to be a game-changer. They agreed that there will be a sense of fear to visit theatres and it is early to take a call regarding the release of big-budget films. “It’s the right call to get the smaller films to premiere either digitally or on the television, as even after the lockdown eases down, the audience wouldn’t step out to watch the smaller ones. There will be a sense of fear to visit the cinema and it would only be the bigger ones to get some sort of audience. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of small films from different producers release directly on several OTT platforms. This will be a game-changer and also change the consumption pattern of cinema in Bollywood,” said one of the trade analysts.
Dinesh, in the recent past, released his film Angrezi Medium on the digital platform.
(Source: Bollywood Hungama)
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