There has been huge applause for the 7 hour Paatal Lok, an Amazon Original. There have been umteen number of viewers for Extraaction, a Netflix Original. But what is the problem with direct film releases on these OTT platforms?
Though the big Telugu films are yet to see the direct release on OTTs, already the Hindi film Gulabo Sitabo, Tamil films Ponmagal Vandaal and Penguin were released amidst big hype and bagged negative reviews.
Some opined that the films made for big screen may not work on home screens. Well, to some extent it is true in the case of the films that are intended to pamper fan frenzy of big stars. But all the three films released so far have big stars but they are not intended for fans.
Gulabo Sitabo is like a humble short story made into a film. Ambience and the plot are intended to engage the serious film lovers. The presence of Amitabh and Ayushman Khurana has pulled the attention of the audience. But on the first day itself, it has seen many a thumbs down.
Ponmagal Vandaal and Penguin also fall on the same side. The films couldn't meet the expectations of the audience.
Some are in an opinion that these films might have released on OTT only after reconfirming that they dont work in theatres anyway.
But that is not true. It is all the content that makes the difference. The engaging capacity is lacking in all the above three films. So they toppled and attracted negative talk.
One may wonder, who will be at loss with this kind of scenario? In fact, the answer is, the other producers in the queue with films in hand.
The OTT platforms will certainly bargain citing the examples of these flops. It may not be a surprise if they come up with only a pay per view proposal as well. To say in simple terms, OTTs are in the place of distributors and exhibitors now.
Such proposals may work for small budget films and the makers also can take up as a challenge; whereas the big budget film makers cannot dare to take the risk.
Considering the present situation, it is needless to say that even though the theatres are permitted to open within a few weeks from now, the majority audience are not prepared to extend their patronage with families.
Even the producers like Suresh Babu are hinting that theatres may not see light till the end of this year. Besides he is also saying that the end of days for theatres is nearer (not more than two years).
So the future of the entertainment industry will only be on OTTs and own online theatres like RGVworld.in on Shreyas ET. But how many producers can dare to play heavy budget games on these platforms? Considering the online piracy and other perils up to what level can they stretch their budgets?
Though RGV endorsed the idea of own online theatres and suggested the same to Rajamouli the other day, there are still many challenges to be addressed in that aspect.
Whatever be the outcome, this seems to be the end of days for big budget films in Tollywood, at least for a few years till the new business models are streamlined, leaving some exceptions.
Let us hope that Tollywood also comes up to make something big like that of Game of Thrones, exclusively for OTT audience, sometime down the line after reshuffling the economics and other aspects.
Written By Kiran Sharma
