Manoj Bajpayee Expresses Disappointment at Lack of Support for Independent Films on Streaming Platforms

Manoj Bajpayee expressed his disappointment on Friday about the lack of guidance that streaming services offer to independent filmmakers, saying that fresh perspectives ought to be supported and given a chance.

The actor stated at a panel discussion at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) that while streaming services initially supported small filmmakers in India, they are now prioritizing blockbuster movies.

"The original goal of all streaming platforms was to produce independent films, but somehow that goal was abandoned. It has completely declined for whatever reason, and blockbuster movies are suddenly becoming very popular.

"However, the independent film movement that emerged and received guidance from OTT platforms has vanished. And it's a really unfortunate event," Bajpayee remarked.

He emphasized that the Indian film industry cannot progress without independent cinema.

"We won't develop as creative individuals; we will just prosper monetarily. We should support and give platforms to new voices. "I believe they were performing incredibly well earlier," he continued.

Independent films could never receive the kind of funding received by tentpoles like "Jawan," "Pathaan," or "Tiger 3," according to Bajpayee.

It will never succeed if you're showing an indie picture at nine in the morning. It can't stand a chance. It will topple over. The actor stated, "I humbly ask that this stage and all these platforms bring back that mentorship.

Bajpayee was in agreement with Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, who co-created the well-liked OTT series "The Family Man" with him.

All of these movies were previously produced in-house or broadcast on OTT. There is now a need that it play in theaters before we will accept it," Nidimoru remarked.

Krishna said, "This is currently taking place all throughout the world. There was a period when a movie would come out, followed by an OTT movie. But "The Gray Man," which The Russo Brothers produced on Netflix, is just as popular as a movie seen in a theater. Thus, each movie is become a major movie." The supporter of the International Emmy-winning series "Delhi Crime" and "Hunt for Veerappan," Apoorva Bakshi, claimed streamers are investing a lot of money in producing "blockbusters."

"As a result of the blockbusters consuming a lot of resources, indie films are losing their safe haven. I think indies help filmmakers become better directors and creators of television shows," the actress remarked.

Raj claimed that working as an independent filmmaker had given him and Krishna self-sufficiency skills.

"We schooled ourselves because we didn't know anyone in the sector. We now feel certain that we can make a picture anywhere you offer us, regardless of the stars or the budget, thanks to the independent film package. That, in my opinion, is what keeps us going," he remarked.

Krishna thinks that accepting that "you won't get everything you want" is facilitated by independent filmmaking.

The word 'jugaad' seems to describe how you kind of adjust at that point. You manage to finish the task, and that's how we got into the film business. Then, the idea of OTT and series arrived in India. Although we enjoyed watching Western television, no one in India knew how to create a series. I believe that the jugaad mindset and the notion of going back and determining how something is done were helpful," he continued.

On November 28, the 54th edition of IFFI will come to an end.

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