Films like Vikram and Salaar are meant for the big screen experience: Shruti Haasan

Shruti Haasan's latest OTT releases include Pitta Kathalu (streaming on Netflix) and Bestseller (streaming on Amazon Prime Video)

Shruti Haasan in Bestseller

Shruti Haasan, who has an interesting lineup of projects, including Prabhas-starrer, Salaar (directed by KGF-fame Prashanth Neel), is excited about watching her father's most-anticipated, Vikram, in theatres. The Kamal Haasan film, also featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, will hit the screens on June 3. Shruti will be one of those, who'd be watching Vikram with the crowd. “Both Salaar and Vikram are meant to be enjoyed on the big screen. Such films work better when viewed in dark space, as they were being shot, keeping that aspect in mind.”

Speaking about the OTT versus theatre debate, Shruti told the Times of India, “Nothing competes with the theatrical experience. Some films are made for the big screen. We all can watch The Avengers on our laptops, but it’s better in theatres. At the same time, I never felt the OTT is here to wipe out movies!”

Shruti goes on to explain, “Some people prefer to watch movies at home, while others enjoy watching them in dark theatres. I enjoy both. Well, I am a product of cinema. There is a lot of work involved. Sound is mixed, the colour is corrected, and scenes are filmed for the big screen. Every frame involves a great deal of work. You can watch a film on TV at home without any problem. However, I do believe watching films on a big screen has its power.”

Shruti Haasan's latest OTT releases were Pitta Kathalu and Bestseller. A Netflix Original, Pitta Kathalu has four segments directed by Nag Ashwin, Tharun Bhascker, BV Nandini Reddy, and Sankalp Reddy. The film has an ensemble cast that includes Lakshmi Manchu, Amala Paul, Jagapati Babu, and Satyadev Kancharana.

Bestseller, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, also features Mithun Chakraborty, in an important role. The eight-episode series is directed by Mukul Abhyankar and written by Anvita Dutt and Althea Kaushal. The cast includes Arjan Bajwa, Gauahar Khan, Satyajeet Dubey and Sonalee Kulkarni. Bestseller, a psychological thriller, is produced by Siddharth Malhotra under the banner of Alchemy Production LLP.

Speaking about Bestseller, Shruti told The New Indian Express, "Since it was so good when I read it as a script, I was hoping that it would translate well on-screen too, and I am so happy that it was well-received and that it's now a binge-watch favourite."

Shruti admits she's open to doing OTT projects, as well. "While shooting, you don't find that much of a difference, but you do realise that the platform, especially when it is a web series, allows you a long time to tell a story. It gives you a long time to elaborate on characters and their backstories, something that you don’t get too much of a chance to do in a film. And playing the lead in the series led me to put in a lot more time than I would for a movie.”

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