The discussion about the optimal gap between theatrical releases and streaming premieres is heating up, with two of Bollywood’s top stars taking different sides. Aamir Khan recently voiced his support for a six-month gap to protect the cinema industry, while Akshay Kumar disagrees, arguing for a shorter timeframe.
In a recent interview, Akshay highlighted the significant investments OTT platforms make for digital rights and insisted they should also gain from these agreements. “I think a three-month gap makes sense. Six months is excessive. After all, the OTT platforms are paying for the digital rights, so they should also benefit,” he expressed.
He further suggested that the film industry should revert to the pre-pandemic model, where cinemas and streaming services thrived together. “Producers eagerly accept payments from OTTs for digital rights, but then blame them for a movie’s poor performance. Perhaps the issue lies in not creating the right content,” he noted.
Akshay, a regular viewer of OTT content, shared that he observes this platform for inspiration and to find new talent for his film projects. “I focus on making movies as my main job. Even if I’m not highly educated, I dedicate time to watching OTT shows to scout talent,” he shared. He also offered a candid look into the industry, recognizing that while hard work is crucial, luck plays a significant role in success. “Sometimes, I see talented individuals who haven’t yet had the right opportunities,” he added.
Aamir Khan’s stance comes amid his thoughts on the shifting dynamics between theaters and streaming. He has been critical of the shortening gap, linking it to declining cinema audiences. Recently, after his wife Kiran Rao’s film, Laapataa Ladies, underperformed in theaters but succeeded on Netflix, Aamir reiterated his call for a minimum six-month gap.
Currently, the common practice for most films is an eight-week window between theatrical release and digital access.
