This Diwali, 4 Hindi films to release on OTT platform; trade experts react

Four major Hindi films are scheduled to release around Diwali on OTT platform: Raghava Lawrence’s ‘Laxmmi’, Hansal Mehta’s ‘Chhalaang’, Anurag  Basu’s ‘Ludo’ and Abhishek Sharma’s ‘Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari’. Trade experts comment on the Diwali content

Milap Zaveri (writer-filmmaker):  “I am excited about all 4 of them. Laxmmi looks brilliant!!! Akshay sir is a revelation. The Bam bhole song is epic! Would have loved to have seen it in cinemas but it will rock on digital too! Ludo has a great cast and Anurag is an exceptional director. Chhalaang looks lovely. Hansal is on a golden run. Rajkumar and Nushrat are superb actors. “Suraj pe Mangal bhaari” trailer I loved! Manoj sir is mindblowing in it! As is Diljit!!! All in all it’s gonna be a great Diwali.”

Akshay Rathi (film exhibitor):  “All of them are very exciting in their own way! Laxmmi has Akshay Kumar offering some hardcore mass entertainment and the songs have become chartbusters too! Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari and Chhalang look like  films with great comic appeal and the feelgood factor ,something that the audience needs after the gloom that the last 8 months have brought in. Ludo has an incredible ensemble of actors who would be fantastic in a trademark Anurag Basu narrative. Which would I pay money to see?The one which releases in a theatre!”

Girish Johar (Trade analyst):  “In terms of traction, it’s Laxmmi that’s clearly ahead of all other OTT Diwali releases. Akshay Kumar is a big star with a huge draw of audiences at the Box-office. This time he will have to prove his mettle at the OTT too. Unfortunately, worldwide there are no parameters set, as of now, to gauge the success or whether the content is appreciated or not, for OTT releases. Hope all the content being released does well and helps respective OTTs to get the desired results / tractions.”

Atul Mohan (trade analyst): “Clearly Laxmmi. No doubt or second opinion about it. Small screen or big screen you need star for attraction and who can be bigger than Akshay Kumar? And thanks to the controversy around it, Laxmmi will draw  in more viewership.But at the same time don't forget that stars are created by big screens only.And small screens will have to be dependent on big stars.Unless the content is extraordinary.”

Raja Sen (film critic):  “Definitely Laxmmi. Star power still counts and the people have been starved for a bonafide blockbuster. The others are all much smaller films.”