Would The Current Stay-Home Situation Help The OTT Platform To Grow? OTT Providers Speak

Aparshakti Kurrana(actor, Hotstar Special Kanpuriye):  “All of us today need to take charge of our health and take preventive measures. Avoiding social gatherings such as going to the cinema is one of them. I think the same might help streaming platforms gain more popularity, at least till the virus subsides. But I also hope and pray that the virus subsides soon so that our life isn’t limited to our homes and entertainment to only streaming platforms. So that we can be affectionate, greet people with hugs/shake hands like we did and not get scared of something that resembles a flu.”

Samir Nair(leading OTT content  producer):  “It’s a short-term gain, at best. The virus threat will be controlled and life will return to normalcy.Over a longer term, streaming platforms are really ‘distribution platforms’ like television and need all kinds of content – soaps, series, movies, live sports, short form, reality – to make a comprehensive offering to consumers.I guess it will be a uneasy coexistence between tv, film, social and streaming with a gradual shift towards streaming over time. A lot depends on how consumer behaviour changes…that will dictate content choices.”

Raj Nidimoru(just did a hit webseries The  Family Man): “There is no  industry that’s  not been affected  by the virus. The entertainment industry  is  no exception. Right now  I  guess prevention is  the best possible way  to fight the  pandemic.I don’t know  how many  would even think of venturing into theatres if they were open. It’s  too early to  talk about OTT-versus-Theatre possibilities. But yes , given  the scenario releasing film on the OTT platform is a solution.  But what I’d do is postpone  my film and release in theatres when  the situation gets better.Everybody is hoping this is a temporary situation.I just hope it goes away very soon.”

Farukh Kabir(directed Article 377 Ab Normal for  the OTT platform): “Yes, on a micro level the OTT will gain, since a lot many more whom did not have subscriptions now will being do so more. And those already subscribed will clock in a lot many more hours on the OTT platform than they normally  do .Not only that, a person with just one ott subscription, might end up taking a few more new subscriptions. All in all In- home viewing till the virus scare will increase tremendously.”

Pavail Gulati(starred in  Zoya Akhtar’s Made In  Heaven): “I guess the current situation would impact theatre business! But it’s really hard to say. I think a lot of business is going to suffer because of this . It might have a ripple effect on everything! Hope this gets over soon and people can get back to their lives!”