After Inox, PVR and Carnival Cinemas express displeasure over producers releasing their films on OTT platforms

It was only recently when it was announced that films like ‘Gulabo Sitabo‘, ‘Shakuntala Devi’ and ‘Ghoomketu’ will be releasing on streaming platforms as there is no clarity as to when the lockdown will be uplifted amidst the Coronavirus crisis. However, theatre chains like INOX are not at all happy with the producer’s decision to bypass theatrical release of the films.

After Inox, now PVR Pictures and Carnival Cinemas have issued a statement against digital premieres of films.

Expressing his displeasure over producers for opting to release their films on OTT platforms, Kamal Gianchandani, CEO, PVR Pictures, in a statement said, “We are disappointed with some of our producers deciding to go straight to the streaming platform/s. We were hoping that the producers would accede to our request to hold back their film’s release till cinemas reopened.”

He further added, “We are confident, once we get to the other side of this crisis, there would be enough and more pent up demand from the cine-goers who have been cooped up at homes for the last many weeks.”

IMPORTANT… Release of films on #OTT platforms… #PVR has its say… OFFICIAL STATEMENT… pic.twitter.com/7ow7zMpzjB

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 16, 2020

Whereas Carnival Cinemas’ CEO, Mohan Umrotkar, in an official statement said, “We would have lost on releasing a few good films with the new development, but it is not going to be easy to accommodate all the films in the limited window anyway. They have bankable stars but the subjects are unconventional. One is never sure whether they will really work. I understand there will be a rush of movies when the lockdown is lifted. The entire industry needs to stand by each other. Films releasing on OTT is the loss of opportunity. It is not an absolute loss, however. We hope filmmakers stick to theatre format. We were expecting them to stand by us because we are family.”

IMPORTANT… Digital premiere of films… #Carnival Cinemas' CEO expresses his thoughts… OFFICIAL STATEMENT… pic.twitter.com/DGtGoqTqky

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 16, 2020

In these testing times, we hope the producers and the exhibitors form a consensus so that neither of the party is left to entirely face the loses.

Also Read: INOX bashes producers for taking the OTT route after ‘Ghoomketu’, ‘Gulabo Sitabo’, ‘Shakuntala Devi’ head for digital release

Pooja Sharma

Cinephile. Bibliophile. Pluviophile. Selenophile. Autophile. Aesthete. Blood group- Tea positive. Poetry lover. Sucker of rom-coms.

PS: Sharmaji ki Ladki sucks at writing bios.
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