14th October 2024, Kathmandu
“Nischal Basnet Considers OTT Release Amid Nepali Films Facing Screen Reduction for Hindi Cinema: Nischal Basnet Warns of Exploring OTT Release as Alternative to Cinema Halls”
Nischal Basnet Threatens OTT Release
Renowned Nepali director Nischal Basnet has issued a stern warning to cinema halls, stating that he will explore alternative options for releasing his films due to the screen-time reduction faced by Nepali movies in favor of Hindi cinema.
Despite good audience occupancy for his latest film, “Behuli from Meghauli,” Basnet revealed that the shows were cut when a Hindi film was released, even though it lacked buzz or strong viewership.
In an interview with Baahrakhari, Basnet expressed his frustration, questioning why a Hindi film with fewer viewers was given priority over a well-performing Nepali film. He pointed out that online occupancy data showed “Behuli from Meghauli” had more viewers than the Hindi movie, yet it received fewer shows in cinema halls.
Some theaters have already removed his movie or reduced it to just one show per day, a move that Basnet finds unfair. He acknowledged that show reductions are expected when new films arrive, but emphasized that prioritizing a film with no audience over one with high demand is detrimental to the Nepali film industry.
OTT as an Alternative
Basnet hinted that he is now seriously considering OTT platforms as a more viable alternative for his future releases. He is already in discussions to potentially pull “Behuli from Meghauli” from cinemas and release it on OTT within the next few days. Moving forward, he plans to prioritize OTT releases for his upcoming films, ensuring they get the attention they deserve.
He highlighted that even when Nepali films receive positive feedback, good reviews, and high audience turnout, they still struggle to secure sufficient shows in theaters. This lack of support from local cinema halls, especially when films require significant investment, is pushing filmmakers like Basnet toward OTT platforms for more reliable distribution.
In the past, Basnet had similarly pushed for a fair share of revenue for filmmakers. When his film “Dimaag Kharab” was released last year, he demanded 50% of the revenue from cinema halls, a move that led exhibitors to comply with his demands.
Now, as he explores new avenues, Nischal Basnet’s shift towards OTT could mark a significant change in how Nepali films are distributed, potentially setting a trend for other filmmakers in the industry.
For more: Nischal Basnet Threatens OTT Release