Manoj Bajpayee on lack of independent content on OTT platforms: ‘Sad development’ Bollywood News

“One of the things that all the streaming services started out with was making independent movies, and somewhere along the line that got lost. For some reason, that just completely fell off. Now we see blockbuster movies becoming big hits.

“But the independent film movement that started with such guidance from OTT platforms has now disappeared. It is a very sad development,” Vajpayee said.

He stressed that without independent films, the Indian film industry will not develop.

“We only grow financially, not as creative people. New voices should be celebrated and given a platform. I think they did very well before.” he added.

Manoj Bajpayee He said it was unimaginable for an independent film to get the same funding as big-name films like “Jawan”, “Pasaan” and “Tiger 3”.

“I don’t stand a chance, and showing independent films at 9am is never going to work. It’s going to fall flat. I strongly request that the leadership system be reinstated,” the actor said.

Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, co-creators of Bajpayee’s popular OTT series ‘The Family Man’, also agreed with Bajpayee.

“Earlier, all these films were produced or shown directly on OTT. Now there is a clause that they have to be shown in theaters and only then we will accept it,” Nidimoru said. he said.

Krishna further added, “This is happening all over the world now. There was a time when there were movies and then OTT movies were made. But the Russo brothers made ‘The Gray Man’ for Netflix. And it’s as big as any other theatrical movie. So now every movie is a big movie.”

Apoorva Bakshi, who backed the International Emmy Award-winning series “Delhi Crime” and “Hunt for Veerappan,” said streamers are pouring resources into making blockbusters.

“There is no safe place left for independent films anymore, and that is happening because more resources are being put into blockbusters. I believe it will help me become a manager and director,” she said.

Raj Nidimoru said being an independent filmmaker taught him and Krishna DK to be self-sufficient.

“We didn’t have anyone we knew in the industry, so we were self-taught. So this whole indie film package gave me the confidence that I could make a film no matter where it was offered, no matter the budget or the stars.” “I think that’s what keeps us going,” he said.

Krishna believes that independent filmmaking helps him accept the fact that “you can’t get everything you want.”

“Then adapt. I think jugaad is the right word. Somehow we got the job done and that’s how we started making films…and this concept of OTT and series came to India. We were fans of Western shows, but no one knew how to make a series in India. It was about jugaad spirituality and going back to the past to understand how it was done. I think the ideas were helpful,” he added.

The 54th IFFI will conclude on November 28th.