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By Rinku Gupta Is the Covid pandemic lockdown leading to a slow but certain change in the way Cinema will be consumed? Are direct digital releases on OTT streaming platforms, emerging as the new norm, given the global uncertainty around the opening of theatres as a fallout of the pandemic? Regional cinema, the early birds... In the   Telugu industry,    Amrutharamam  a film with newbies,  directed by debutant  Surendar Kontaddi  which  had been ready for release, decided not to wait indefinitely, and opted for a direct digital release  on Zee 5 on April 29 due to the uncertain  lockdown situation. In the Tamil industry, actor -producer, Suriya set the ball rolling in this direction. Suriya announced that his 2D Entertainments', Jyotika starrer Ponmaghal Vandhal would stream directly on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video , bypassing the theatrical route, given the uncertainity of a release date due to the lockdown....

By Rinku Gupta The competition in the Tamil web series arena just got hotter with the entrance of one more player in the market. Sony Liv ,  the digital platform of  Sony Entertainment Television, has now entered the fray introducing original Tamil content to its entertainment portfolio. SonyLiv launched thier first Tamil web -series in Chennai on Monday.  Uday Sodhi, Head Digital Business of Sony Liv flew down to Chennai with his team to announce and launch Iru Dhuruvam , a 9 episode crime thriller starring film actor Nandaa and Bigg Boss contestant and Ajith starrer Nerkonda Paarvai heroine, Abhirami Venkat. And looks like Sony Liv is going all out to secure classy, top-notch content, what with the web -series being produced by Applause Entertainment ( creators of Criminal Justice, Mind The Malhotras, The Office), a Content Studio from the Aditya Birla group. None other than Applause CEO,  Sameer Nair (ex Balaji Telefilms, NDTV Imagine, Star India ...

By Rinku Gupta Sigai , directed by Jagadeesan Subu is releasing on January 9th, after a long gap. The film is making history of sorts, by having the distinction of being the first Tamil feature film to release directly on a digital platform without going via the theatrical release route. The film is releasing on ZEE5, a digital platform accessible by its App. Zee5 will also be releasing 2 more Tamil films in the same manner. In the light of the struggle for release and the tussle over deciding the right date for theatrical releases in a crowded market, does this development offer a new platform for producers?   Mr Surya, South Content Head Zee5 India,  gives his perspective on this move, revealing plans they have for releasing Tamil films and web-series on thier platform.   Zee5 is releasing Regional feature films on the App directly, without a theatrical release. Does this make you the first Indian platform to do so? How viable is this for you? ...

by Rinku Gupta  He’s the son of yesteryear producer and director Malliyam Rajgopal ( Savale Samaali, Thulabharam). His last outing in Tamil was Richie which marked Nivin Pauly’s debut in Tamil. Currently he is excited about his   film Andhra Mess, releasing this week after a Long delay of several years. In a chat, the laid back, tall, rugged and good-looking actor   Raj Bharat , talks about his film   and future plans. What is your role in Andhra   Mess? I play a guy called Rathna who is kind of a split personality. He’s a rugged yet emotional character. He’s a toughie on the outside but soft hearted. He loves his mom but is angry at his father from childhood due to an incident. He keeps directing that anger to the world in an on and off mode in different situations.   So it was quite challenging to play someone like that. What is the significance of the title? It will reveal the knot if I tell you. It will be best seen o...