Mumbai: Mahesh Bhatt’s ‘Sadak 2’, which was to be released in theatres in July will now get a digital release, producer Mukesh Bhatt has confirmed.
Mahesh Bhatt’s comeback directorial venture after 1999 (‘Kartoos’), stars both his daughters, Alia and Pooja Bhatt besides Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjay Dutt.
It (number of COVID-19 cases) is increasing day-by-day instead of subsiding. In this situation do you think the theatres will open? And even if they do and Sadak 2 is released, will people go to watch it? People have to protect their families. Today, life is more important,” Mukesh Bhatt told PTI.
“I am compelled to come (on the digital platform) because I don’t see any light in the near future. This is the best I can do to survive. There are certain things that you do, not out of choice but out of compulsion. This is the only option left. It is a no-brainer,” he added.
‘Sadak 2’ joins other movies such as ‘Gulabo Sitabo’, ‘Shakuntala Devi’ and ‘Dil Bechara’ opting for a digital release during the pandemic.
Mukesh Bhatt further told PTI that both filmmakers and audiences would prefer a big-screen experience and the trend of digital premiere is “temporary”.
“Now that films are releasing on OTT, it doesn’t mean theatres will shut down. People need outings and big-screen entertainment is fun. It is a temporary phase. We need to understand it rationally and not blast or put each other down. We should lift each other up.
“I have got no option, so I will definitely consider OTT. We have not made this film to put it in lock and key. We want to bring it to people so that they enjoy the film,” he added.
The team is planning to wrap up shooting soon and do the post-production simultaneously.
