During recent months the debate on the ethics of producers bypassing the theatrical release of their films to go straight to OTT, has heated up. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui says he is all for a digital release.
“I can understand the anger of movie exhibitors. But can they offer us a solution? Do we even know when the audiences will feel safe in theatres? How long can we wait? A film like my Bhoomketu and Raat Akeli Hai can’t afford to wait . In fact I feel this option of releasing digitally is godsend for an actor like me. So many of my films lie unreleased. Ghoomketu was completed in 2017. It’s a film I’m very proud of. Why haven’t theatre exhibitors shown any interest in these important unreleased films?”
Nawaz recommends the OTT platform for some of his other long-delayed projects. “Two of my other unreleased films which I’m very proud and would love to see release on the digital platform are Mangesh Hadawale’s Dekh Indian Circus and Geetu Mohandas’s Liars Dice. Both were completed 9 years ago and are yet to be exhibited in theatres.Why haven’t the movie exhibitors looked at these two films? I am very proud of both films and I look forward to their release on the OTT platform.”
Nawaz says he is in the mood for lighthearted films. “We need to bring as much sunshine into our lives as possible. Most of my films are dark brooding violent and intense. I have done light roles in Freaky Ali and Munna Michael.”
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