Is Thama Skipping Theatrical Buzz? Early OTT Deal Raises Concerns

Thama OTT Deal: Thama is one of the latest films on the block doing rounds by Maddock Films, and what has really caught the eye is the OTT release on Amazon Prime Video, before it is given its place in the theatres. Although guaranteed digital reach, this has made cinephiles and experts ponder whether such a move will affect the buzz it would have generated in theatres.

The Change in Movie Watching Trend

Post-pandemic, people flock to OTT with no guilt and easy accessibility that made it cheap and very popular for home audience watching. For producers, early OTT deals guarantee returns for a film like Thama. What concern, however, is that nothing can replace watching a film theatrically because it adds cultural and emotional value.

Risk Of Losing Box Office Collections

Theatrical release is largely dependent on pre-release hype and word of mouth publicity. Early announcements of OTT releases will dilute the excitement. If viewers think a film will be available online shortly, they would rather skip theaters, which will negatively impact box office collections. Many recent releases-again dominated by stars-have failed at cinemas but found legs after release in OTT platforms.

Double-Edged Sword

In fact, it brings a balanced equation to deriving profits from theatrical and digital sources, yet guarantees a profit for its producers, but the truth is that theatres thrive on the novelty of big-screen viewing, and by announcing early OTT confirmations, that special thrill of big-screen viewing may be lost. However, for those from smaller towns or ones with a home-viewing preference, this is a boost.

Also Read: Thama Teaser: Ayushmann, Rashmika’s Bloody Love Story Thrills Fans

Thama’s announcement comes early in the debate surrounding cinema distribution for the future. While on the one hand, digital premieres result in universal access and sure revenue, on the other hand, their very charm is ostentatiously eclipsed by the revenue patrons spend on broad distribution. The real test case is really whether audiences would still prefer to celebrate Thama in theatres or wait for its Prime Video release. Ultimately, it’s a bold gamble that could either set a new trend or backfire for the makers.