The Big Bull's OTT release is an experiment whose time has come, says producer Anand Pandit

The Big Bull (2020) is one of seven films acquired by OTT (over-the-top) platform Disney+ Hotstar, to be premiered from July to October this year. Besides the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer, Dil Bechara (2020), Laxmmi Bomb (2020), Bhuj: The Pride Of India (2020), Sadak 2 (2020), Khuda Hafiz (2020) and Lootcase (2020) will also be premiered online.

Co-producer Anand Pandit had initially hoped for a theatrical release for his film, but seeing the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising number of cases in India, the decision to go to digital may be wise.

“I believe in the big theatre experience,” Pandit said. “It is the ultimate for any cinema lover. But in the challenging times we live in, we are all learning to adapt and, more importantly, experiment. An experiment to understand what the future holds for films and their audiences. I would say this release is a new evolutionary tool in the growth of cinema and its audiences. It is wonderful to collaborate with Disney+ Hotstar and I am quite sure the audiences will enjoy this novel way of showcasing our films.”

Additionally, the producer feels the digital release gives films a larger, immediate reach internationally, but that doesn’t mean the theatrical option is closed. It is only temporarily shuttered.

"With an OTT release, The Big Bull will reach newer markets and newer international audiences,” he said. “The theatrical experience will be back soon and that I assure you. In the meantime, let's not stop enjoying the one thing we are passionate about — films."

Directed by Kookie Gulati, The Big Bull is co-produced by Ajay Devgn and also stars Ileana D'Cruz, Nikita Dutta and Sohum Shah. Besides The Big Bull, Pandit’s banner, Anand Pandit Motion Pictures, has the thriller Chehre (2020), starring Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi, lined up for release later this year.