Kottukkaali an OTT movie, not fit for theatre? Young filmmakers disagree
Some argue that Kottukkaali's nuanced storytelling and festival appeal make it more suitable for OTT platforms rather than a traditional theatrical release. Others firmly believe that the theatre is the rightful place for all films, regardless of their genre or style.
Updated : September 01, 2024 05:25 PM ISTSome argue that Kottukkaali's nuanced storytelling and festival appeal make it more suitable for OTT platforms rather than a traditional theatrical release. Others firmly believe that the theatre is the rightful place for all films, regardless of their genre or style.
Soori in Kottukkaali
The latest Tamil movie, Kottukkaali, was released in theatres recently and received polarizing reactions. The film, written and directed by PS Vinothraj, garnered critical acclaim at several international film festivals and received glowing reviews from critics worldwide. However, the film didn't excite the general audience like a typical Tamil 'masala' movie.
The mixed reactions to the theatrical release of Kottukkaali have sparked a debate. Some believe this movie was best suited for an OTT viewing, suggesting that the producers overstepped by bringing it to theatres. However, contemporary Tamil filmmakers reject this opinion.
"Before the release, they didn't promote it as a movie like Ghilli or Dhool. They didn't promise you that it would keep you on the edge of your seat. We enter the theatres knowing fully well what kind of movie it is," reasoned Arun Matheswaran during a discussion on Galatta Tamil.
Arun argued that theatres are the only venue that can ensure audiences experience a director's vision in its full glory, whereas streaming platforms allow viewers to skip ahead. "OTT is a very new avenue. Movies are meant to be seen in theatres. No one has the right to say where you should release a movie. For example, people who watch on OTT might fast-forward scenes where a character is walking. You won't get that full experience. A director works hard to give you that experience, and you should not skip that time," he added.
Filmmaker Madonne Ashwin echoed Arun's sentiments and recalled actor Soori's statement before the movie's release. "Soori himself clarified that this is not like his previous movies (Garudan and Viduthalai). I don't think there is anything wrong with releasing it in theatres. As filmmakers, they decide to make, and as an audience member, I can also decide whether or not I should watch it in theatres," he said.
Recently, director Ameer stirred emotions when he criticized Sivakarthikeyan, the producer of Kottukkaali, for releasing it in theatres. "Kottukkaali is a festival cinema; it's not meant for mainstream release. It's wrong to make it compete with commercial films. Had I produced Kottukkaali, I would not have released it in theatres. It was needless," he said.
Many in the film fraternity, however, did not welcome Ameer's opinion on Kottukkaali.