The business of cinema is rather dynamic and the situations keep changing from time to time. Presently, the one direction all are looking at is OTT because they were the saviors during the Pandemic time. Since then, many projects have hit the floors with the confidence that even if theatricals don't work the OTTs are there to rescue them.
However, that golden age seems to have vanished with the new directive from the OTTs. It is being reported that OTTs are making it very clear that a film has to go through its theatrical run first for them to buy it. From their end, a theatrical release ensures they don't spend on publicity and it would also reflect the strength of the content the film is offering.
While this won't matter much to the big budget flicks, the films that fall in the danger zone are the medium and small budget ones. As it is, getting a proper release is a Herculean task for the makers and it also involves heavy cost. And nobody knows the result till the release so the risk is high. In a way, this also seems to be a smart move by the OTTs to set a particular benchmark for the film as the box office performance will clearly convey its merit. Well, it all comes back to good content and proper release again for making some money then.
