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Film theatre industry to stay despite OTT and TV channels: Malayalam Film Producer G P Vijayakumar at IFFI

Panaji: G P Vijayakumar, Film Producer and Distributor of Malayalam film industry on Wednesday, at International Film Festival of India said that theatres and blockbuster movies will continue to stay despite OTT and TV channels being around.

He said that the viewership on OTT is ever-increasing at a faster pace which is pegged at 20 percent now. OTT enables even average and small budget films, which would otherwise end up in cans, to gain viewership across the world. At the same time, creative people of the industry want their films to be watched in theatres, informed I&B ministry.

He was expressing his views during a virtual ‘In Conversation’ session on ‘Changing Scenarios in Indian Film Production’, held as part of the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India, Goa.

He added, “With the advent of COVID-19, OTT turned into the basic carrier of films for the producer to gain whatever revenue he could during the tough times. On the other hand, the release and promotional costs too have mounted hugely over the years. With the satellite market picking up, the cost of production increased in the 90s, while multiplexes multiplied in numbers, all leading to the industry faring badly in 2010.”

Vijayakumar observed that there is no dearth of quality and technological expertise in the industry in the country, suggesting only a “professional approach to movie making is what is necessary for success” in every venture. He was emphatic that funds invested in movie-making should be recoverable.

Replying to an online query on the financing of films amidst the difficult economic situation following the emergence of COVID-19, he said, “The industry needs more and more producers coming forward to make worthwhile movies based on merit and professional considerations, and producers should be cautious against funding projects seeking only fame and money.”

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