OTT platforms cannot match the cinema experience: Shyam Benegal

Just as the coronavirus pandemic was feared to sound the death knell for the movie theatre industry, the recent announcement by Amazon Prime Video to have seven new movie premieres on its platform added to its woes. But, the cinema offers a larger-than-life experience, which cannot be easily replicated by the over-the-top platforms, said veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal.

“Films can be seen by several means. However, going to the cinema hall adds an important dimension — it becomes a social occasion and a collective experience. The OTT platforms will clearly not match up with that,” Benegal said in an interaction BusinessLine. There will be a coexistence of both movie theatres and OTT platforms when it comes to movie releases, the 85-year-old Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner said. Edited excerpts: