Even as Telugu filmmakers are warming up to the lucrative advantages of releasing their films on digital platforms, there is backlash in the coming. This evening, Telangana film exhibitors have appealed to Telugu filmmakers to put a hold to releasing their ready films on OTT. The appeal comes after a spate of Telugu films are gearing up to opt for direct OTT releases since theatres are not opening anytime soon in the Telugu state of Telangana.
The film exhibitors bodies have requested Telugu filmmakers to wait only till October 2021 and not go in for direct release on OTT until then. If theatres do not open even after that, then filmmakers can go ahead and release their films on OTT platforms.
What’s more, the theatre-owners bodies have threatened to take action against filmmakers if they do not consider their appeal. The decision has been taken unanimously by all theatre-owners of Telangana.
There’s been heavy buzz in trade circles and industry insiders regarding the OTT release of several Telugu films. Prominent among these are Venkatesh’s Narappa and Drushyam 2, along with Maestro, 18 Pages, Viraata Parvam, Paagal, among many more. Spooked by all the plans of direct to digital releases for Telugu films, theatre owners in Telangana have been compelled to take this step.
The theatre industry has been the worst hit in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. While all other industries are showing signs of revival, only theatre-owners are still stuck with complete shutdown in operations. Many single-screen theatres have not been able to bear the financial stress of the shutdown and have closed doors forever. In light of this, the appeal from theatre-owners is a valid one.
Here’s the official statement released by the theatre-owners and film-exhibitors bodies of Telangana –
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