Sheeba Akashdeep shares her insights on the increasing popularity of OTT platforms
Sheeba Akashdeep shares her insights on the increasing popularity of OTT platforms and the impact of the pandemic on movie-watching habits. She believes that humans are creatures of habit, and the prolonged period spent indoors during the Covid pandemic has led to a shift in people’s preferences towards OTT platforms. She notes that many now consider OTT as a lifestyle choice, as they have grown accustomed to the convenience and flexibility it offers.
According to Sheeba, people are now more selective about which movies they choose to watch in theatres. They are willing to step out for films that offer a larger-than-life experience, something that truly justifies the immersive cinema experience. However, for other movies, viewers prefer to wait for them to become available on OTT platforms, where they can watch them at their own pace and convenience.
Sheeba personally enjoys going to the theatre and has watched only a couple of movies in the theatre in the year 2023, including “Pathaan” and “The Kerala Story.” Both movies provided distinct experiences—one being a thrilling ride, while the other was emotionally impactful. This demonstrates that she appreciates the diversity of content available in the film industry.
One of the reasons why people are opting for OTT platforms over theatres is the assurance that movies will eventually be available online. The wait of four to eight weeks from movie release to OTT availability allows viewers to allocate their funds for other experiences like dining out or going on a vacation. Additionally, Sheeba mentions that the cost of going to the movies as a family is relatively expensive, which may also contribute to people’s preference for OTT platforms.
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Despite the current trend, Sheeba is optimistic that things will eventually go back to normal. She believes that the film industry is making efforts to bring people back to theatres by producing a variety of movies. As people start to return to their routines and look forward to engaging cinematic experiences, the theatres are likely to regain their appeal.
