Manoj Bajpayee: ‘There has to be a balance between OTT and theatres’

National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee’s latest OTT release - ZEE5 original film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai - has been widely appreciated by critics and the audience alike. However, he believes that although people can enjoy a movie on a streaming platform in the comfort of their homes, theatrical releases have their own beauty.

In a recent interview with PTI, the Padma Shri awardee said, “There has to be some kind of balance between OTT and theatres, to help feed off each other. We need to make more movies for theatres.”

Also read: Manoj Bajpayee: So many of us wanted Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai to release in theatres and not OTT, but... | Exclusive

According to the The Family Man actor, people’s viewing habits changed during the pandemic and they got used to watching shows and movies on OTT platforms. “We need to make more and more movies for theatres, more within the budget, so that people again get used to watching films in theatres and a greater loss can be avoided,” Manoj elaborated. 

Also read: Manoj Bajpayee speaks about the success of his OTT film ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’

When asked why gangster movies are not doing well on the big screen, he said he did not entirely agree with the argument, and called it only a ‘temporary phase’. “Be it gangster movies or any movie, there are so many subjects, so many films. Just because OTT is there, does it mean all gangster movies will go to OTT? No. In fact, so many different kinds of films will be streamed and it is a passing phase,” the Gangs of Wasseypur actor added.

Commenting on Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, the actor said, “The film belongs to the mainstream genre, but it does not make anyone larger than life, including the protagonist… People keep watching it again and again, as they find the characters believable.”