'It's time we stand together, support each other', Producers Guild defends digital release of films
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New Delhi, May 16: Producers Guild of India has defended the filmmakers’ decision to opt for the digital release of films. Expressing its displeasure over the statements issued by few multiplex chains against digital release of films, Producers Guild said, it is time for the entire industry to come together and support each other.
In an apparent reference to the decision of the makers of "Gulabo Sitabo" to release the film on a streaming platform, INOX had expressed its extreme displeasure and disappointment. Kamal Gianchandani of PVR Pictures had also said they were expecting the producers to hold their films for theatrical release.
The Guild said, it is disappointing to see abrasive and unconstructive messaging from some of their colleagues in the exhibition sector. It added, when it comes to financial losses, the situation of the producers is no different from exhibitors. It said that insurers have refused to bear the cost of elaborate sets that had to be taken down as shoots remain cancelled.
There is an even longer chain of workers making the films. They also need to survive. Pls read my tweets properly. Theatres like I said WILL survive. Films WILL release in theatres. Some have chosen to go digital. Nothing wrong with that. Need to support them as well.
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) May 14, 2020
The Guild said, cinemas may be one of the last sectors of the service likely to be given permission to re-open and even if theatres in India start functioning, there is no guarantee that the overseas theatrical market, which is a key component of the economics of Hindi films, will resume. It further said, even when cinemas re-open, there will be a huge backlog of releases and the smaller and medium scale films especially will suffer from sub-optimal showcasing.
The Guild clarified that theatrical release will always be preferred for movies that were conceptualised as cinematic experiences. But, it added, these are unprecedented times for all, and it is imperative to see things in context. Vidya Balan-starrer "Shakuntala Devi" and Amitabh Bachchan-Ayushmann Khurrana's "Gulabo Sitabo" are all set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video.