From Lootcase to Drishyam 2, there are certain films that deserved a packed cinema hall, but unfortunately had to settle for an OTT release.
Picture Courtesy: Mid-day Archives
The Coronavirus pandemic was largely a bane for the Hindi film industry and cinema aficionados. We may have discovered what we call as web-series, hidden gems and great characters, the charm of a packed cinema was equally missed. The films that directly premiered on the digital platform were largely dissed, some shone and surprised.
Here are some films that deserved the big screen experience:
1. Gulabo Sitabo
Shoojit Sircar’s Gulabo Sitabo was the first Hindi film to take the digital route. Nobody ever expected that they would get to witness a star as magnanimous as Amitabh Bachchan on their television screens and mobile phones on the first day of his film’s release. The world had to adjust and adapt to what came to be known as the new normal. This comedy was about the bickering of a landlord and a tenant, both hot-headed, both helpless. The final twist was a stroke of genius that established the fact hell hath no fury than a woman scorned. Sircar made a film on a woman’s wants and desires without even being pretentious about it. This was a film fans of Bachchan and Khurrana would have enjoyed, despite the polarising response.
2. Lootcase
Another film about the helplessness of a middle-class man was Lootcase, which benefited immensely from an ingenious ensemble. Refusing to rely on banal gags, Rajesh Krishnan’s comedy gave us moments of situational humour and wit. And just like Gulabo Sitabo, Lootcase asked us pertinent questions about how far would one go to grab what he aspires for and how to choose between two evils. This was one of the biggest surprises of 2020 that could have brought a lot of moolah for the makers. Kunal Kemmu’s obsession with bucks would know better!
3. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl