COVID Warrior-Actor Shikha Malhotra Breaks Down For Film Kaanchli Not Getting OTT Release: ‘Feel Like An Outsider, Scared After Sushant’s Death’
Shikha Malhotra, who had returned to her medical profession to serve COVID-19 patients, breaks down as she talks about her film Kaanchli not getting an OTT release. She said that she is made to feel like an outsider, and is overly scared after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death
Shikha Malhotra, who was seen in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Fan returned to her medical profession to serve COVID-19 patients. People called her a ‘real life hero’ after she got back to her medical duties in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic. However, in a recent interview, she broke down as she talked about her film Kaanchli not getting an OTT release. She said that her film isn’t being given the platform for the audience to watch, and that after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, she is scared.
In a live interview with Navbharat Times Online, Shikha Malhotra said that she hasn’t paid her rent in four months. She was asked if her parents have been calling her to ask if everything’s okay, and are more scared ever since Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide. She explained that she got the film Kaanchli after a lot of struggle and the film isn’t getting a platform to release. “I want to tell you my struggle. Firstly, it’s extremely sad that people question when will Kaanchli release, when it actually released all over India in February.” She said she has faced extreme disappointment over the years when she reached out to big banners, and also casting directors, who treated her like an outsider.
“When I tell people my film has already released I feel like an outsider because my film couldn’t reach the level where people could know about it,” she said. She also said that people have been texting her saying they want to see a ‘real hero’ like her on screen, but she said that she is an outsider and is overly scared after the death of Sushant.
“Nobody is ready to take that film or watch that film, suddenly OTT platforms have decided we cannot take such films. I am a fresh face in the industry, no major production houses or directors will give me work. If someone has given me a chance, no matter how small a film it is, let my film release,” said Shikha.
She revealed that while major films get over 3000- 4000 theatres, her film Kaanchli only got 75 theatres all over India. “Sushant Singh ke saath jab ye aisa hua, people are asking why. I have an answer for why. Me being a medical professional, if I don’t sleep and keep thinking about this all the time, how long will it take for me to lose my mind?” said Shikha, as she broke down.
“How do I make you watch my film when I don’t have a space. Mujhe leke agar kisi chhote director ne sab daav pe lagaake agar film banai hai, toh hume janta ke saamne toh jaane do. Ab OTT platform wale bolte hai aisa criteria, aisa segment nahi hai. Just today, a huge platform rejected our film .”
Kaanchli Life In A Slough stars Sanjay Mishra, Shikha Malhotra, Lalit Parimoo, Nareshpal Singh Chauhan. It is based on a story by Vijaydan Detham a folk story writer from Rajasthan and has a message of social welfare. ALSO READ: Katrina Kaif Calls Fan Actor Shikha Malhotra ‘Real Life Hero’ As She Returns To Her Medical Profession To Serve COVID-19 Patients
Image Source: IMDb, Instagram/Shikha Malhotra