Impact of COVID-19 in Entertainment Industry:

Since March 2020, the nation was in lockdown. Even though the complete closure and restrictions started to gradually lift after three months of lockdown in June 2020, the situation is only getting worse day by day due to the widespread of COVID-19 infection. Like every other industry, the entertainment industry had also affected by this COVID-19 lockdown. It was a sudden pause for all the filming process, pre-production and post productions. The festival and holiday release of mainstream cinemas got stopped due to this.

Upon looking into the possibilities to minimise the impact, as expected, many production teams had decided to go for direct OTT release, which made the whole industry pissed off. In Kollywood, Jyothika’s Ponmagal Vandhaal team had first planned to release the movie in OTT platforms. This decision by the team widely criticised by various Tamil Cinema unions. Soon after this, the theatre associations in TN released a statement saying, they won’t release any future movies of the movie’s producer Suriya, 2D Entertainments and other actors who are part of this film. This made the team to rethink their decisions and decided to keep the plans on hold. Later the movie got released in the OTT platform, followed by many other movies started to release. Suriya’s decision to release his big shot Soorarai Pottru on Amazon Prime Video made the entire industry surprised. More than a lead hero of the movie, as a producer, his decision and followed the explanation sounds factual.

Meanwhile, the same being rumoured that the Thalapathy Vijay staring, Lokesh Kanagaraj directed Master will also be a direct OTT release. The Master team themselves refused these rumours by stating, Master will be a theatrical release and will release very soon post the lockdown. Thalapathy Vijay also doesn’t want a direct OTT release, as it will be a major disappointment for his fans. He told, he doesn’t want to spoil the theatre experience and celebration of his fans. The star also assured that he is ready to incur any loss due to this decision. At the same time, the theatre owners across Tamil Nadu are hoping to get a huge profitable comeback with the release of Master.

In other industries also, many movies are opting for the direct OTT release, which is definitely not good news for the theatre owners and the people who love watching movies in theatres. However, recently the Central Government granted permission to resume the shoot of movies by following the precautionary measures and allowed the theatres excluding the Mall Multiplexes to reopen with half the capacity.

In general, both theatrical and OTT viewing is beneficial in different ways. In our opinion, theatre experience is something different which an OTT viewing can’t provide. Theatre is a significant part of the entertainment industry. This supports other various related industries and offers jobs to millions. On the other side, there are many low and middle scale movies, who are always ignored by the theatres claiming it has less production value, new star cast, competition etc. A direct OTT release will be a boon for them if these platforms bid well. These movies should bestow with an opportunity to release in these platforms. Without any doubt, these movies will be viewed more in OTT platforms than in theatres. However, it is doubtful on the survival of a big-budget, superstar movies without a theatrical release.

Hope we can see more direct movie releases in OTT platforms in future. Still, there are movies which shouldn’t be missed and experience only in theatres. In the coming days, we will witness the industries transforming. When the movie industries across the globe are planning the same digital release strategy, we hope the theatrical experience remains untouched and changed.

Okay! Missed one point! Unlike theatres, there won’t be any hefty charges on popcorn, water and special show tickets for an OTT release. Considering this, we should stand with those major multiplex groups who supported us very well, especially if you have ever gone for a date, you know how it feels. 😀😜

*Updated on 26th August 2020