Thug Life Takes a Hit: ₹25 Lakh Fine After Flop Flick’s Fast-Track to OTT

Kamal Haasan's much-awaited film 'Thug Life' has landed itself in trouble after it was fined ₹25 lakh for premature release on OTT, beyond the window set for theatrical release, after its poor box office performance. The fine has been imposed by South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and is indicative of the growing tension between theatrical and digital releases in Indian cinema.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Box Office Failure: 'Thug Life' did not meet box office expectations, and producers decided on an early OTT release in a bid to recover their costs.

 

Norm Violation: The online release of the movie breached norms of the industry that stipulate a minimum theatrical period before streaming release, which led to the hefty fine.

 

Industry Effect: The event has brought back controversy regarding the comparison of theaters with digital media, especially when big-budget films flop at the box office.

 

Producer's Stand: The sources close to the production maintain that the decision was made to reduce financial losses, but the industry bodies hold on to contractual conventions.

 

Prospects: As digital platforms become more powerful, the 'Thug Life' incident shows the need for improved policies balancing the needs of film makers, theatres, and OTT players. The industry can expect new guidelines to face the evolving digital landscape soon.

 

Sources: Times of India, Film Companion, Indian Express