Guess Who: This Bollywood Legend Is Upset

Rajeev Masand has published a blind item in Open The Magazine about a Bollywood legend who is upset over three of his movies releasing directly on streaming platforms.

While lesser mortals are worried about whether they will have their jobs at the end of this month, Bollywood celebs are busy with their own set of problems. They have enough money to last several years without work. But what is keeping them awake is the fate of their movies. They are not happy with their producers recovering their investments via releasing their movies directly on streaming platforms. What they crave for is the approval of their audiences at the theatres.

While others in his age bracket have long retired or are dead, this veteran continues to be a major figure in the industry. He still continues to be the biggest TV celeb & a major draw for character roles. This drive to excel in his craft makes his fans look away from his personal shortcomings.

We had earlier mentioned how the hotel staff of a major hotel chain had spotted the legend with his longtime GF at their Dubai property. Our source who knew the hotel staff in the Dubai property claims that the legend has been going on vacations with his GF on the sly for years. It is a ritual that had been unbroken for several years. But the impending lockdown probably has ruined their plans for this year.

Blind Item

A senior star (let’s just call him a legend) is reportedly not at all pleased that as many as three of his new films are headed for a straight-to-streaming release in the months ahead. In the light of Covid-19, lockdown, and the impact that it will have on the film business going ahead, several producers of small-budget and mid-budget films are making deals to forego a theatrical release and drop directly on digital. When cinemas open again, it will be a tussle for release dates, and with many star-driven tentpoles jostling for the right window, it is estimated that smaller-sized films could get steamrolled completely.

All three films in question, starring the legend, are small to modest-sized productions. None are expected to do big opening day or opening weekend collections. A straight-to-streaming release on a top digital platform could provide these films with a larger audience than they are likely to find in cinemas. But the penetration of streaming platforms into B and C towns is negligible, and the legendary star is still a draw in small-town India. Rumour has it that he is pushing the producers of these films to lock a solid ‘satellite’ release to complement the streaming release so his fans in smaller towns and cities can catch these films on television even if they don’t have access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar.

Industry insiders who’re close to the legendary actor are saying his disappointment could also stem from the fact that there is no certainty on when film shootings will resume.

Our Guess

Senior Star: Amitabh Bachchan

Movies: Gulabo Sitabo, Jhund, Chehre