Vetrimaaran
Vetrimaaran in a recent conversation with Hollywood reporter ,has expressed concern over streaming platforms driving up the fees of top actors.
He remarked that it isn’t the theatrical box office that’s struggling but rather the inflated expectations created by OTT platforms. During the pandemic, these platforms offered substantial amounts, saying, “We’ll pay Rs 120 crore for Rajinikanth and Vijay’s films, you make it.” As a result, budgets and salaries skyrocketed.
He further said ,However, within a few months, the platforms realized this model wasn’t sustainable and started pulling back, saying, “We can’t give that much anymore.” Meanwhile, producers had grown accustomed to making bigger films, and actors to commanding higher salaries, leaving the industry in a challenging position.
Vetrimaaran is optimistic about the revival of the theatrical economy, citing self-censorship on streaming services. He stated that they frequently avoid presenting scenarios, such as characters eating beef, for fear of upsetting specific communities or beliefs. He underlined that streaming services used to have substantial influence because they were the paymasters who shaped the content.