Bollywood’s perfectionist Aamir Khan is once again looking to shake up the industry with a bold plan to prioritize theatrical releases over OTT platforms.
As OTT platforms continue to dominate the market, many producers and actors are pre-selling digital rights to ensure profits, regardless of box office performance.
Also Read – All We Imagine As Light Is Ready To Dazzle Film Festivals
However, Aamir wants to change the game by holding back on these deals, aiming to keep his films exclusive to cinemas for a longer period.
According to insiders, Aamir plans to keep his films in theaters for at least 12 weeks before even considering selling digital rights. His goal is to bring back the traditional theater-going experience and revitalize genres like social comedy, which have been losing ground in the age of digital dominance.
Also Read – Highest Tax-Paying Celebrities: SRK Tops The List
Rather than pre-selling to streaming platforms, Aamir intends to gauge his films’ box office performance and then decide on digital deals based on audience reception.
This strategy puts control back in the hands of filmmakers, allowing them to avoid the immediate association with OTT platforms on posters and trailers.
Also Read – Disaster Director: “Audience Lacks Intelligence”
The idea is to bring back a time when viewers had no knowledge of when or where a film would appear on TV or streaming, creating a sense of urgency to watch it on the big screen.
While Aamir’s vision is bold and could mark a significant shift in industry dynamics, there are risks involved.
In today’s market, even disastrous films often find a lifeline through OTT deals, which help producers recover some of their losses. Many producers are ready to stream their films on OTT platforms just two weeks after their theatrical release if the price offered by these platforms is decent enough.
Aamir’s decision to forgo this safety net may be difficult for many to follow. For this strategy to succeed, the films need to be exceptional and attract massive crowds to theaters, which doesn’t happen regularly.
It’s a brave attempt to revive the importance of the big screen experience, but convincing producers to reject guaranteed easy money from OTT platforms may not be easy.
Most producers find it hard to resist easy profits, especially when it provides a cushion for even flop films.
While Aamir’s move could bring about change, it will require a lot of patience and consistent box-office hits for others to follow suit.