August 20, 2025

“When will it be on OTT?” This is the burning question for many movie lovers today. Especially if a film doesn’t promise a thrilling theatre experience, viewers would rather wait at home. Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan recently shook things up at WAVES, saying, “You’re telling the audience, ‘Don’t come – I’ll deliver it to your home.’ You’re killing your own business.” What a sharp jab at the current film scene! He compared it to selling a car now or delivering it later at home — why would anyone rush to buy? Exhibitors nod in agreement. With fewer people rushing to cinemas and many films tanking after a weekend, this strange mix of theatre and OTT releases is a puzzling recipe. But will making viewers wait longer for OTT releases push them to theatres? The answer is a big NO! Moviegoers say, “It’s the content, silly!” Vishwajeet Singh from a publishing house sums it up: “After the pandemic, we hesitated to go back. But for some films like Barbenheimer, or star actors, we do. If I’m unsure about a film and it’s coming to OTT soon, I’d wait at home. Extending the window won’t suddenly make me show up for something I don’t like. I go on day one only if I’ve been excited. The OTT gap doesn’t change my mind.” Azrum Hasan, an avid cinephile, explains this changed game beautifully: “I decide by the trailer. Is this worth four hours including travel and tickets? For Top Gun, Marvel, or SRK films – no waiting. But if a trailer doesn’t excite me, why go? For some movies, the theatre vibe is a must, but for many, streaming is enough.” Devang Maurya from the hotel industry shares a funny truth: “When a film bores me in a cinema, I think how much time I could save by watching it on OTT. Usually, I check the OTT release date and skip the cinema unless it’s a must-watch. With friends, content often doesn’t matter; we just enjoy the outing.” Cinema owners want fairness. Ajay Bijli, a top exhibitor, applauds Aamir: “What he is saying about increasing the gap is music to my ears.” Veteran Raj Bansal adds, “Every movie must follow the same window, no matter how it performs. This gives each film a fair shot to reach full potential and draws in the audience slowly.” So, the mystery unravels — viewers crave good content more than quick OTT availability. The magic of the big screen lives on, but only for films that truly pull you in. The OTT vs theatre saga continues, but the heart of the audience remains clear: No gimmicks, just great movies!

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Tags: Ott release, Theatre attendance, Movie business, Streaming platforms, Aamir khan, Moviegoers,