Will we see films release simultaneously on OTT platforms as well as theatres?

Last month, theatres finally were given the go ahead to open up for business once again. However, theatre owners are pretty upset over the lack of fresh content. Keeping the uncertainty of people returning to theatres in mind, producers decided to release their films on OTT platforms instead. 

As Akshay Kumar gears up for the digital release of his upcoming film Laxmii, trade analyst-critic Komal Nahta has written an open letter to the actor making an appeal to have his film simultaneously released in single-screen cinemas. Multiplex owners have already decided to not screen films that will not be having a theatre only release. Film exhibitor-distributor and producer, Aditya Chowksey in an interview with a leading daily revealed that while the intention is good, technically, having a simultaneous release isn’t possible. He said, “In spirit, and on an emotional level, what Mr Nahta has written is absolutely right. But technically, it’s not possible. As an exhibitor, I know a film like Laxmii can change the entire scene for us but as a producer, I know that once a deal has been signed, no one can do anything about it. have had the experience of dealing with an OTT player vis-à-vis my film, Khuda Haafiz. So, I know that once you sign a legal agreement with them, no actor, producer or director can interfere. Then, it’s totally their prerogative.”