Sashikanth Interview for Test: I don’t have negative connotation on a direct OTT release

For producer S Sashikanth, whose banner YNOT Studios is self-explanatory on why it has been backing films that stand apart from the template of Tamil cinema, making a directorial venture with Test, only reiterates his penchant fo r creative establishments.

An architect by academic, Sashikanth says, “I became a mango farmer, started a .com company, and have done so many professions in my life. I went back to architecture as well. It is like a saying about how many times you get to say you are doing something for the first time in your life. Once you do it, the first time is gone. I would find it extremely boring to do one thing all my life. I think I would have been great because of undivided attention, but my journey has been plural. Given a choice between jack of all trades and master of one, I would choose jack of all trades. It is because it creates exciting new paths, new people in the journey.”

S Sashikanth Interview for Test

The director-producer reiterates that the place he is now, helming a film, has always been there and it is only matter of time. “I have always wanted to be a director, even when I finished school. There was no academic way to become a director then, so I took up architecture. Years later, after practicing architecture, I had the calling to be a filmmaker and then that’s how I became a producer. The pandemic happened and existential questions came to forefront, and I thought where would I set my journey from now on. I remember the exact date, April 14, 2020 is when I thought I should take it up.”

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Sashikanth penned the story of Test in 2012 and had been working on it since the pandemic to bring it to life. Starring Madhavan, Nayanthara and Siddharth in the lead roles, the drama which has cricket has an important element, will be Netflix’s first Tamil original to release in 2025. In an industry, where direct to OTT releases have not yet found an amicable place, Sashikanth has been one of the few producers who has been quick to embrace the streaming space, given his production and National Award-winning film Mandela chose to premiere on Netflix directly.

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“A film is a film and has to find its audience. If I ask you, where did you watch for the first time, some of the classics like Parasakthi or Star Wars, Godfather, you would say television. Let’s not say OTT, but small screen because that word gives us a ring of an alien idea. For me, growing up as a child watching English movies, the impact has stayed. And now, even a film as big as Avengers is being enjoyed by people who watch it on phone,” Sashikanth says.

'I took this call as a director and not producer'

Reiterating that the qualitative idea of finding audience has not changed, Sashikanth says, “Jagame Thandiram was a big film and went through OTT. That was the greatest decision we took then. Mandela went on to release on Netflix and earned us National Film award. Critically it reached the number of people it had to, and also gave us accolades. I do not have a negative connotation of going for OTT release.”

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With regards to Test, Sashikanth reveals that they were looking for a traditional theatrical release. But when they had an opportunity to send the first cut to Netflix, the director-producer reveals that the streaming giant’s content team saw the viability of Test being a global product. “Then you put yourself into the shoes of a first-time director who is getting an offer from a streaming giant which has an audience base. Potentially, the day of the film will reach about 600 million people. For the creator, that is the kick; that many across the globe will be listening to your story as their first choice. I see it as a no-brainer. I took this call as a director and not producer.”

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Saying that only here the importance for theatres and applause is still relevant when the rest of world has moved past it, he concludes, “Some of the greatest and critical work have happened on OTT platforms. We are also creating theatrical films, but you should also look at each product as standalone.”