‘Sooryavanshi’ and ’83’ heading towards an OTT release?

Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif’s ‘Sooryavanshi’ and Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone starrer ’83’ have been dodging the question of releasing on OTT since the past many months. However, the two films are finally considering the move towards digital platforms.

Both the films are produced by Reliance Entertainment, and therefore speaking to Bollywood Hungama, CEO, Shibasish Sarkar, said, “We are 100% inclined to take theatrical route. However, at the same time, we don’t want to delay the release further than practically possible. That means we will not like to push release dates beyond Diwali / Christmas. So the first option is to go theatrical if cinemas open up and audiences are back.”

But the lockdown has been on since almost 6 months now and theatres are not going to open seemingly for another 3-4 months. Plus, even when the theatres open, there is no guarantee that audiences will throng the cinema halls. As per the guidelines of safety, people will try avoiding theatres for quite a long time, and therefore, for the first time, Reliance Entertainment is also thinking of heading the OTT way.

“If either cinema halls don’t open or corona impact increases many folds….and audiences are not coming… Or in some states theatres open and in some states they won’t….in those scenarios we will have to explore all options… Either pure SVOD (video on demand) routes. Or TVOD/PPV (pay per view) routes like what the makers of Mulan are planning. Or part theatrical/part TVOD. Or in some state/countries theatrical and some state digital… Basically we will not like to shift release date further…. and ideally look for theatrical or any other hybrid measure for the best possible release,” said Sarkar while talking to Bollywood Hungama.

The official statement from the company reads as, “We are very confident the ongoing theatrical exhibition situation will improve much in time for the release of our awaited films Sooryavanshi and 83 this Diwali and Christmas, respectively. Looking ahead at celebrating the blockbusters in Cinemas with our audience everywhere.”

We are very confident that the ongoing theatrical exhibition situation will improve much in time for the release of our awaited films, Sooryavanshi and 83, this Diwali and Christmas, respectively. pic.twitter.com/sHr0fhMgBm

— Reliance Entertainment (@RelianceEnt) August 23, 2020

If the films do hit OTT platforms, there will be no one happier than the audiences, as they have been dying to watch the movies for ages.

Also Read: ‘Sooryavanshi’, ’83’, ‘Coolie No 1’, ‘Brahmastra’, ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ – Films which won’t go the OTT way during lockdown

Prateek Sur

Born a Movie Buff, working as a Film Critique and enjoying life as a Bollywood Reporter.

Email: editor@bollywoodbubble.com Phone: +91 8355910465