Mumbai: On Monday afternoon, an OTT giant has confirmed that big-budget movies including Akshay Kumar starrer Laxmmi Bomb, Ajay Devgn's Bhuj: The Pride Of India, Sushant Singh Rajput's last film Dil Bechara, Alia Bhatt starrer Sadak 2, Abhishek Bachchan's The Big Bull, the Vidyut Jammwal starrer Khuda Haafiz and Kunal Kemmu's Lootcase will go for straight-to-OTT release on Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex, a platform that the streaming service launched today.
The seven films have been lined up for premiering on the platform from July 24 onwards which was confirmed at a virtual event on Monday. Participating in the event were many of the stars whose films are lined up for OTT releases on the platform including Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt and Abhishek Bachchan.
The first film to be premiered is Dil Bechara. As a tribute to the late actor, the film will be available to all subscribers and non-subscribers of the platform.
Talking about Laxmmi Bomb going directly to a digital platform, Akshay said: "The movie is extremely dear to me as it is something unique I have attempted for the first time! It is an entertaining mélange of horror and humour and it has a strong social message attached to it! I am certain that this movie will bring joy and hope for everyone in these trying times!"
"Having done a hundred films, I definitely took it for granted that theatres were where our films were meant to play. However, two things happened suddenly and almost simultaneously. The corona pandemic threw all our comfort worlds into a tizzy. And, at the same time the OTT medium that was a fairly new phenomenon gained a huge significance as far as consuming entertainment is concerned," Ajay said.
"In the future, theatres and OTT will move in parallel. Both options offer their own strengths. The platform will showcase Bhuj: The Pride of India across the length and breadth of the country. I think people will once again start looking forward to new film releases," he added.
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Alia is very excited about the digital premiere of Sadak 2, which is directed by Mahesh Bhatt.
"It was my first time working with my father, which makes this a dream come true. It has a very new but relevant emotional pulse, with an amazing cast. Working with Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt and Pooja has been magical. These are extraordinary and difficult times and all of us are trying to get through it, taking each day at a time. My father always says that a filmmaker's destination is the audience's heart," she said.
About the release of The Big Bull, Abhishek Bachchan shared: "There is nothing greater than the joy of being able to entertain someone through movies and great storytelling. And that's exactly what ‘The Big Bull' will do - it will keep audiences hooked till the very end."
"We are happy to partner with the best directors and most talented actors, and provide them with a platform to present their masterpieces," said Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star & Disney India.
Talking about the initiative and its effect on the overall industry, he added: "Theatres are a special experience. So, they will always exist and thrive. But the potential of the industry can't be capped by the number of release windows and theatres available. Our initiative will dramatically increase the number of films that can be made, giving film-lovers more films to enjoy and the creative community more films to make. We firmly believe that this will generate a massive momentum for more and different kinds of films to be made in India. It's a win-win for all."
With inputs from IANS
