Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has raised a question on the ‘free’ digital release of Shahid Kapoor’s new film, Bloody Daddy. The movie released on JioCinema on June 9 and is available for free viewing. He called it an “insane business model” and said this could lead Bollywood to destruction. Sharing a newspaper ad about the Bloody Daddy’s OTT release, Vivek said on Twitter on Friday, “Why would anyone show a 200 cr film for free? What’s this insane business model? Sad news is that Bollywood is celebrating its own destruction.”
A Twitter user shared an explanation in response to his tweet. The tweet read, “This is Jio’s business model. They’ll give everything free for few/several months to increase the customer base. Later they’ll start charging minimal fee to retain the customers. Soon other OTT platforms too will have no option but to charge less to customers and generate revenue thru ads instead. OTT, supposed to be an add free platform, will too turn into TV.”
Reacting to the user’s tweet, Vivek asked, “So, in a way this ₹200 crore is their advertising cost?” Many tweeted in agreement.