Netflix often pushes to have its big money buys streaming on their platform 4 weeks after the theatrical release. But of late, the multiplex chains up North have been imposing a new rule that they will stream films only if there is an agreement to stream the film on OTT at least 8 weeks from its theatrical release.
However, in the case of Salaar, which had a decent release in PVR Inox and other leading chains up North despite the clash with Dunki, has now scheduled its OTT debut just 4 weeks after the theatrical release.
The film released in theaters on 22nd December and it’s arriving on Netflix on 20 January, as officially confirmed by the OTT giant. The 8-weeks no-OTT release agreement that is mandated by multiplexes has shown no effect here.
It’s just that Salaar is streaming only in South Indian languages and not in Hindi. But the Hindi audience will get to watch the film in original language with subtitles on Netflix. This is against the cause that the multiplexes up North have been fighting in order to pull audience to theaters amidst the OTT expansion.
Incidentally, Salaar’s makers had a clash with PVR Inox two days before the release and even canceled many shows. But common ground was found later and the film was released in these plexes up North.
And now, the makers of Salaar have flouted the 8-weeks regulation and are set to stream their film on Netflix just 4 weeks post the release. This should agitate the plexes to a great extent and they will feel cheated. Will this show an effect on PVR’s negotiations with upcoming Telugu pan Indian films?
