Actress-producer Anushka Sharma feels nothing can substitute the experience of watching a film on the big screen, and feels the post-Covid era will usher in a new wave where OTT platforms will “parallely exist” with theatres.
“Let’s be very honest, these are extraordinary circumstances that we are all experiencing. I think, to judge anything on the basis of this time would probably not be valid,” Anushka said, when asked if the digital medium was filling a void of content due to the shutdown of the film industry amid the pandemic. “At the same time, I feel that theatrical releases are here to stay in India because we, as a society and a culture, enjoy celebrating.”
“But yes, certain things have come forward, which I think are true. For example, I think the digital platforms have, not just because of Covid-19, but over the years, established themselves in a way that they are creating a wave with the content that they’re doing. They have a wider reach. Filmmakers like us are able to explore ideas and stories that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to, because of — I don’t know if that’s the right word — but let’s say, because of the pressures of a box-office release,” added the actress, who is looking forward to the release of her next production, the supernatural thriller film Bulbbul.
She continued: “You have to mount a film in a particular way with stars, and you know there are certain stories and certain concepts that are harder to push (in cinema), although you understand that there is a huge audience for that in the country.”
That is where the digital platforms take the spotlight. “That has been proven right with these platforms, where certain stories, like all the shows that have done well or all the movies that have done well on these platforms, found that audience in India. They have reached out to people and got appreciation and applause from the audience. So, I think this audience is here for content and content only. And you don’t have to fall back on certain tropes of theatricals, which can be a bit limiting,” added Anushka, who turned producer at the age of 25.
The actress launched her production house Clean Slate Filmz, and has backed unconventional stories, bankrolling films like NH10, Pari, Phillauri, and the web-series Paatal Lok, which was her debut digital production and which turned out to be a massive hit.
