Producer Suresh Babu states that direct release on OTT platforms is not a replacement for theatrical release. This is not an alternative but one way of monetization, he stresses.
He throws light on why Telugu producers are hesitating to release the movies on OTT platforms bypassing the theatrical window during this lockdown period. Bollywood and Tamil movie industries are going ahead with releasing movies directly on Prime Video.
“This is one way of monetization. Not a substitute for the theatrical release. Every year, the Telugu film industry produces more than 150 movies. How many of these films can be bought by the streaming companies? So, theaters are the best option. Big budget movies cannot get their revenue from OTT companies even if they are ready to sell the rights,” he made his point during a chat with BBC.
He also made it clear that all the producers have made early discussions with OTT platforms but none of them have yet decided to skip the theatrical window.
“These are unprecedented times and we need to take a calculated approach. No one should quarrel with each other,” he stresses out.
Films like Nani’s “V”, Anushka’s “Nishabdham”, and Raj Tarun’s “Orey Bujjigaa” have received offers from OTT platforms for direct digital release.