From Laapataa Ladies to Chandu Champion: How these films found their true audience on OTT
Kartik Aaryan¡¯s career-best performance to date is undoubtedly his role in Chandu Champion. Transitioning from slapstick comedies to a demanding sports biopic, Aaryan not only embraced a compelling storyline but also underwent rigorous training for the role, resulting in a surprisingly strong performance.
Recently, I saw a clip of iconic filmmaker David Dhawan¡¯s clip from an interview with Arbaaz Khan in which he said that actors are taking the safe route of OTT these days. He said, ¡°I tell this to every actor. Why do you want to play so safe with OTT where you don't even know how much a project has worked? Theatre mein aao, apni aukaat dikhao tum." This raises an interesting question: do actors deliberately choose OTT platforms over traditional cinema because they anticipate a significantly better response from the former?
Recent trends suggest this could be a significant factor. The dynamics of cinema have shifted dramatically in recent years. What was once a beloved weekend tradition of watching movies in theaters with friends and family has now transitioned into binge-watching marathons from the comfort of our homes. Is this change due to exorbitant ticket prices or the sheer abundance of choices available at our fingertips? There doesn¡¯t seem to be a definitive answer for this question.
Credit: Amazon Prime Video
During the weekend, most of us watched the two big releases of the week - Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba and Chandu Champion. While it¡¯s better that things remain unsaid about the former, the latter left me impressed beyond words.
Kartik Aaryan's Chandu Champion deserved to get more love on the silver screen
Kartik Aaryan¡¯s career-best performance to date is undoubtedly his role in Chandu Champion. Transitioning from slapstick comedies to a demanding sports biopic, Aaryan not only embraced a compelling storyline but also underwent rigorous training for the role, resulting in a surprisingly strong performance.
Despite being made on a substantial budget of Rs 140 crore, the film earned just over Rs 88 crore at the box office. The reasons for this underwhelming performance could be multifaceted¡ªperhaps Aaryan¡¯s decision to avoid industry camps affected the film¡¯s reception, or maybe the audience was hesitant to spend on expensive movie tickets. Regardless of the cause, one thing is clear: since its OTT release, the film has received widespread acclaim, with the internet enthusiastically praising both Aaryan¡¯s performance and Kabir Khan¡¯s direction.
Credit: Netflix
Chandu Champion isn¡¯t a one off case. In the recent past, several films have failed to lure audiences to the theatres but once they were released on OTT, the films went on to become massive hits.
Laapataa Ladies is another film which garnered a lot of love from the audiences after it released on OTT
Kiran Rao¡¯s Laapataa Ladies serves as another compelling example. Despite its modest budget and lack of major stars, the film, set in the hinterland, managed to capture hearts with its genuine storytelling. Made on a shoestring budget of just Rs 2-4 crore, it earned Rs 25 crore at the box office. Once it premiered on Netflix, the film gained immense popularity and set several streaming records, demonstrating how a heartfelt narrative can resonate widely, regardless of financial constraints or star power.
Credit: Netflix
12th Fail achieved a stronger box office performance, but its success truly soared after its release on OTT. There are various theories about this phenomenon. One prevalent belief is that when people decide to spend money on movie tickets, they often prefer films featuring big stars, viewing them as a safer investment. In contrast, smaller movies with lesser-known faces may struggle to attract theatergoers but can find a more appreciative audience on streaming platforms, where viewers are more open to exploring diverse content.
Credit: Netflix
The OTT Revolution: How content quality now trumps star power in determining film success
Many consider this trend somewhat hypocritical: while cinephiles often criticize nepotism and the overemphasis on star power, they still flock to theaters for films featuring big names. Conversely, many choose to wait for films to hit streaming platforms, opting to save money and avoid theater costs, unless a film generates significant hype or holds personal interest.
An interesting counter example is Manoj Bajpayee¡¯s Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. Initially released on OTT, the film¡ªcentered around a self-proclaimed godman¡¯s controversial case¡ªreceived substantial acclaim. This positive reception prompted the makers to release it in theaters, demonstrating that even after an OTT release, a film's success can prompt a traditional theatrical release.
Credit: Zee5
Overall, these examples depict a critical shift: today, it's not just star power but the strength of the content and direction that determine a film's success. With audiences increasingly discerning and well-informed, filmmakers must ensure their stories are compelling and their direction precise to capture and maintain viewers' attention throughout the film.
Bhavya Sadhwani heads Indiatimes OTT section - Binge. She calls herself an entertainment ninja and OTT content sucker. She loves to write on web series, movies, documentaries, reality shows and everything else that releases on digital platforms. She forms a special bond with those who share her love for cringe content.
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