Entrepreneur and film producer Ronnie Screwvala, excited about his new film Love Per Square Foot releasing on Valentine's Day on a digital platform, says the growth of the platform is not an alternative option, but an addition to new age entertainment. He is confident that both can co-exist.
Love Per Square Foot is the first film of Screwvala's RSVP Productions. The Netflix Original film marks the directorial debut of Anand Tiwari and features Vicky Kaushal and Angira Dhar.
Having produced films like Rang De Basanti, The Namesake, Jodhaa Akbar, Aamir, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Udaan, 7 Khoon Maaf, and Chennai Express in the past, what made him release his first home production on Netflix rather than going for a traditional release in theatres?
Is there a possibility than in the future theatrical release will be taken over by digital release for films?
Emphasising on the ordeal that several films face in making it to the theatres, Screwvala said: "Look at the number of films that are not being released in India... It is very high. There are films that do not get commissioned to release, at times due to the expenses. So, the new addition of digital platforms is all the more reason to celebrate."
Asked if that is one of the reasons Hindi cinegoers are experiencing a huge variety of subjects in cinema, the National Award winning producer said: "Yes, it is a blessing for creative people that a large number of people are subscribing to digital platforms like Netflix and others.”
In 20 years of his career as a film producer, Screwvala not only attempted to bring change in Indian cinema by capturing the transition of the society in the 21st century, but also impacted many young minds.
He said: "I think overall storytelling and movie-making is a high impact industry. In films, we are actually telling stories that create an impact in people's mind and give lifelong memories. For example, when we recently visited army officers of special force and seven of them said that they joined Indian Army after watching Lakshya, they got the inspiration from there... a seed of thought. A film does that to our audience."
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