News came out this week that this legendary actor’s films will be making its big debut on an OTT platform. Not one, but 3 films will be releasing during this lockdown period on an OTT platform.

When news of this came out, theater owners were mad that the producers of this film decided to forget about their agreement with them and release the films online. According to this blind item, it’s this actor too that is upset his films are making its way online instead of being released in cinemas.

It’s probably more than what he’s letting out. He probably feels a little undervalued since his film will be the first out of all the stars’ films that will be released on an OTT platform. That’s why he feels uneasy about this, it’s like there’s no value to his work. But it’s nice that he is thinking of his fans in villages who go and watch his films.

Just a question, though. If his fans don’t have internet or an account with a streaming platform, is it a guarantee that they have satellite TV? Especially in villages?

Check out the blind item below from Rajeev Masand. It is understandable that the man is getting bored staying at home. After all, he is the only one working steadily in the family despite his age and other sicknesses.

Bollywood Blind Item

Screen Test

A senior star (let’s just call him a legend) is reportedly not at all pleased that as many as three of his new films are headed for a straight-to-streaming release in the months ahead. In the light of Covid-19, lockdown and the impact that it will have on the film business going ahead, several producers of small-budget and mid-budget films are making deals to forego a theatrical release and drop directly on digital.

When cinemas open again, it will be a tussle for release dates, and with many star-driven tentpoles jostling for the right window, it is estimated that smaller-sized films could get steamrolled completely.

All three films in question, starring the legend, are small to modest-sized productions. None are expected to do big opening day or opening weekend collections. A straight-to-streaming release on a top digital platform could provide these films a larger audience than they are likely to find in cinemas.

But the penetration of streaming platforms into B and C towns is negligible, and the legendary star is still a draw in small-town India. Rumour has it that he is pushing the producers of these films to lock a solid ‘satellite’ release to complement the streaming release so his fans in smaller towns and cities can catch these films on television even if they don’t have access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar.

Industry insiders who’re close to the legendary actor are saying his disappointment could also stem from the fact that there is no certainty on when film shootings will resume.

OSOP Guess

Senior Star: Amitabh Bachchan

Leading exhibitor Akshaye Rathi remarked that with a cast as stellar as Gulabo Sitabo’s, it would have worked wonders on the big screen. “It’s Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana coming together. It would have crossed the Rs 100 crore mark. Look how Ayushmann’s films have performed over the last couple of years.

Amitabh Bachchan, who stars in Gulabo Sitabo alongside Ayushmann Khurrana took to his blog and penned his thoughts about this big move. Calling it a ‘situation that cannot be altered’, Bachchan explained how there is ‘uncertainty’ looming over everyone. He further stressed that finances and other obligations, recovery of investment, needs consideration in this case.