OTT's OK, What About Theatres Highhandedness?

Amidst the continuation of lockdown, there is no chance for the films to have theatrical release. Producers staring at the prospect of a grim future with uncertainty over the opening of theatres decided to sell the rights of their film releases on Ott platforms.

Theatre owners are getting worried with the makers of Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurana starrer Gulabo Sitabo planning to release their film on June 12 directly on Amazon Prime. Inox Theatrical chain even expressed their unhappiness over the decision.

But one look Ott shows that they are providing new films at minimum charges. Otts are having a lot of content. Amazon Prime for a yearly subscription of Rs 1000 is allowing people to watch numerous films, web series. Nowadays a family cannot expect to watch one film at such a cost.

In multiplexes, the ticket price is Rs 150-250 and they will be increased for top stars films for the first two weeks. Everyone knows how theatres increased the rates for Sankranti releases.

The cost of one water bOttle is Rs 40-50 and tub popcorn costs Rs 150-200 while cooldrink is priced at Rs 90. If one questions rates there, the staff will look at them as a specimen. They even insult them in front of others.

Now and then Government officials conduct raids but after that everything will be the same. Multiplexes who are looting movie lovers in such a manner have no moral right to question the makers when they decide to release their films on Otts.