Theatres are open but Bollywood still taking Amazon, Netflix route to release films

Parineeti Chopra's Girl on The Train that will be releasing on Netflix soon.

Maryam Farooqui

January 24, 2021 / 01:15 PM IST

The second wave of Bollywood film releases, including big-star ventures, is about to hit over the top (OTT) platforms as producers remain unsure about a theatrical release with cinemas running at 50 percent capacity.

According to industry insiders, John Abraham's Mumbai Saga has been sold to Amazon Prime Video for around Rs 65 crore. The film’s makers, however, have not confirmed the news yet.

Next is Parineeti Chopra's Girl on The Train, which will be released on Netflix. Other films that are in talks with OTT platforms for direct digital release include Kartik Aaryan's Dhamaka, and Sanya Malhotra's Pagglait.

While coronavirus-induced restrictions on audience are a big factor, limited traction in theatres for films like Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari and Indoo Ki Jawani will also be weighing on producers’ mind. Suraj Pe did a business of Rs three crore and Indoo Ki Jawani could only manage Rs one crore.

So far, amid big star ventures, only Salman Khan's Radhe is officially slotted for Eid holiday. Other offerings like Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi and Ranveer Singh's 83 still don’t have a release date.

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