Vikram Bhatt: OTT platforms best to get revenues

Vikram Bhatt

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, who has ventured into the digital space with his over-the-top app -- VBontheweb, says such platforms are best to create a stable revenue system for quality content with good production values. Asked how OTT platforms are contributing to the entertainment business, Vikram told IANS here: "I think people are ready to pay if the content is worth investing. The whole idea of encouraging and coming up with OTT platform is to make a stable revenue generating model for entertainment industry on digital platform."

"In the advent of technology, one can shoot content using a smartphone or iPhone but to get a certain amount of quality and production value of a content whether it is a short film, a web series, we have to invest money for production." "I do not want people who are working with me on a production to get any less payment because the content is going on a digital platform and not on the silver screen.

That is why OTT platforms are the best to get revenues," said the director of films like "Raaz" and "Ghulam". Mentioning how good a response he is getting from the audience, he said: "My web series 'Untouchables', which is streaming, is getting subscribers every day and after watching the show they said we should price it high. Now, one can watch the series by paying Rs 18." Considering the fact that YouTube is one of the digital platforms where people can watch content for free, is the Indian audience getting used to the practice of paying to watch online entertainment?

"Yes, of course people are changing their mentality...and feedbacks from my show, I am confident about it. It is the matter of quality on which we are ready to invest," said Vikram, who has tried his hand at acting too. In "Untouchables", which is the directorial debut of his daughter Krishna Bhatt, he is playing a lawyer. How was his experience of working with his daughter and acting? He said: "Acting is different, and I enjoyed it. But it was just one of the trying out things. I see no one is coming up with an acting offer to me. My daughter is very talented as a director and her approach is different from mine."

"I was a little sceptical for the first two days and wondered how she would operate on the set but she is fine." Vikram considers veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, with whom he has worked on several films like "Footpath", "Raaz 3" and "Mr. X", his mentor. "My relation with Bhatt Saab is more emotional than professional. Yes, I started my journey in the film industry under his guidance, he gave me my first break and he is the institution for me to learn," said Vikram. "But the learning is not just about films, but exchanging thoughts, sharing and he is always there for me for emotional support. Over the period of time, things have grown," he added.

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