Box Office Blues: The Decline of Bollywood Films and the Challenges They Face in a World of OTT Content

The current state of Bollywood films at the box office has been a matter of concern for the industry for some time now. With a decline in footfalls to cinemas and a lack of compelling content that is suitable for the big screen, Bollywood has been struggling to draw audiences back to theaters.

Harry Johal, the Content Chief of Carry On Harry, media company, has shared his views on the reasons behind this trend. According to Johal, one of the primary reasons for the decline in box office collections is the competition from OTT platforms. With the rise of OTT platforms, viewers have access to a vast array of content options, including international films and web series, making it difficult for Bollywood films to attract audiences to the theaters.

Johal further explains that the lack of event films, which draw people to the theaters, is another reason for the decline. Many films that are being made today lack the potential to become event films, as they do not have the right combination of compelling stories and big-screen visuals. This makes it difficult for them to compete with other forms of entertainment.

The stories that these films deal with are also available on several OTT-based international films, which again contributes to the competition. The non-appealing faces that are being cast in these films are also failing to draw audiences to the theaters. Johal argues that even films like Pusha did not have big openings and gradually gained momentum due to word of mouth.

Despite these challenges, Johal believes that Bollywood can still regain its shine and draw audiences back to theaters. He suggests that the industry needs to focus on creating compelling content that is suitable for the big screen, casting appealing faces that can draw audiences to theaters, and differentiating itself from the content available on OTT platforms.

Rising trend of remakes ? Does this affects footfalls at box office

The availability of the original South Indian film on YouTube is certainly a factor that affects the box office performance of a Hindi remake. With the increasing accessibility of the internet and the popularity of online streaming platforms, viewers have more options for entertainment than ever before. This has led to a trend of Hindi remakes of successful South Indian films, which often have a built-in audience due to the popularity of the original.

However, the success of a Hindi remake also depends on factors such as the quality of the adaptation, the star power of the actors, and the marketing strategy. In the case of the Hindi remake of the South Indian film Karthi, titled Bhola, the film’s performance at the box office could have been affected by factors such as competition from other releases, the quality of the adaptation, and the star power of the cast.

While the availability of the original South Indian film on YouTube may have provided an alternative viewing option for some viewers, it is not necessarily the sole reason for the box office performance of the Hindi remake. Box office success is determined by a multitude of factors, and while the availability of the original film may have some impact, it is not the only factor at play.

In conclusion, the decline of Bollywood films at the box office is a complex mix of factors, including competition from OTT platforms, a lack of event films, availability of similar content on OTT-based international films, and non-appealing faces. However, with the right approach, Bollywood can still regain its shine and draw audiences back to theaters.