‘We producers take money from OTT, then say our films not working due to them’: Akshay Kumar punches holes in Aamir Khan’s comments 

In the interview with APB Live, Akshay claimed that producers, including him, should be fair to the OTT platforms and aware of the quality of films they’re churning out these days. “When it comes to digital rights sale, producers happily take money from the OTT platform. But when we want to, we also conveniently say our films aren’t working because of OTT. We don’t consider that maybe we’re not making the right films,” added Akshay.

For years, Aamir has expressed his reservations against OTT platforms dictating the window between theatrical releases and streaming premieres. After his critically acclaimed production, Kiran Rao’s satire Laapataa Ladies, didn’t work at the box office, but gained wide recognition upon its premiere on Netflix India, Aamir opted for a new strategy this year.

He chose to bypass OTT platforms and instead release his latest film, RS Prasanna’s coming-of-age sports comedy Sitaare Zameen Par, on his YouTube channel Aamir Khan Talkies on a pay-per-view basis for Rs 100. “I got good offers from OTT channels. But I don’t want those ₹100-125 crore from OTT channels. I want to earn ₹100 from my audience. I prefer that,” said Aamir at the announcement event in August.

“My colleagues in the industry, filmmakers, creative people, artists, directors and writers, are waiting to see whether this model is successful or not. If this model is successful, then it will be a big step for cinema,” asserted Aamir. He, however, clarified that he isn’t against OTT platforms overall, and is himself an avid OTT consumer.

Akshay also admitted he watches a lot of OTT content, also in order to scout talent for his own films. He believes the advent of OTT has benefitted everyone in the film industry. “I don’t have any other work than making movies. Since I’m not educated, I do only movies. So, I get a lot of time to watch OTT,” said Akshay.

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He reiterated that his hard work, combined with a lot of luck, has resulted in his success. “Thirty percent is hard work, which should feel like you’ve done 100% hard work, but you also need that 70% luck to make it,” said Akshay, adding, “When I enter a studio, I often see a struggler better looking, a better dancer, and who does better action than me, but he hasn’t gotten a chance yet.”