Anurag Kashyap has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and his recent comments about streaming platforms are no different. No doubt that OTT platforms were once seen as a beacon of hope for creative filmmakers.
But now in Kashyap’s eyes, they have become a problem for India’s entertainment industry. He believes they’ve lost their edge and are now more focused on subscriber numbers than on taking risks or telling fresh, meaningful stories.
It is a very true thing and we have also been screaming this at the top of our lungs.
Kashyap doesn’t hold back in blaming the executives running these platforms. He says most of them come from TV backgrounds and have little understanding of cinema. Their goal isn’t to push creative boundaries but to ensure they meet corporate targets.
This, he says, has led to a steady decline in the quality of content. Platforms are now only willing to invest in films that have already proven themselves in theaters and it leaves no space for experimental or bold ideas.
He also pointed out that many of these platforms are multinational companies, making them even more cautious about taking risks. This risk-averse attitude, according to him, has put a leash on creativity.
After making great things like Sacred Games on OTT, Kashyap has seen his share of disillusionment that caused this problem.
Interestingly, Kashyap welcomes a crash in the OTT space. He believes such a reset would open the doors for real creativity to flourish again.
For now, he’s looking southward, hoping to make films in South India, where he feels the environment is more supportive of experimentation.
Kashyap’s words are a wake-up call. If the system doesn’t change, we risk losing the bold, original content that makes cinema exciting. Maybe a crash isn’t such a bad idea after all.