OTT’s Big Move, but Cinephiles Suspicious?

Bringing great news for cinephiles, Amazon Prime Video has announced that it has onboarded the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) – Cinemas of India, as an add-on subscription.

NFDC offers an extensive library featuring iconic films by renowned and internationally acclaimed directors such as Satyajit Ray, Shyam Benegal, Mira Nair, and Kalpana Lajmi, to name a few.

With this add-on subscription, customers in India can enjoy evergreen classics from multiple Indian languages at just ₹199 per year.

NFDC has long been the cornerstone of India’s finest cinema, nurturing path-breaking films for decades.

The collection showcases the rich heritage of Indian cinema across the country’s linguistically diverse entertainment landscape.

Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile or just beginning to explore Indian cinema, NFDC’s catalogue offers an unparalleled window into some of the country’s most acclaimed and culturally significant films.

For decades, NFDC has supported pioneering filmmakers and impactful narratives that reflect India’s cultural diversity. With Prime Video’s massive reach across the country, there is confidence that these timeless, thought-provoking stories will now reach and be appreciated by new audiences, helping Indian cinema travel far and wide.

This move might just be a game-changer, as it brings some of the country’s most impactful cinema to an OTT platform, where it can gain broader viewership.

However, while this announcement excites many, there are concerns. Prime Video has previously faced criticism for brutally editing films to fit specific time brackets.

If such alterations are applied to NFDC classics, it could defeat the very purpose of this initiative.

This decision holds immense potential but only if the films are presented without edits that compromise their creative integrity and intended message.

They should be streamed untouched, exactly as they were meant to be experienced.