Srinidhi Bengaluru Interview: Video isn't the traditional found-footage experience
A major coup for the film is roping in Sameer MD, the popular YouTuber known for his spine-chilling horror narrations. 'We shot Sameer's portions before his video on the Sowjanya case went viral,' says Srinidhi. 'His credibility was already strong, and we knew he could anchor the film's tone perfectly. Our target is college-goers and social media audiences—this hybrid structure and his presence bridge that gap.'
The teaser, which has garnered an overwhelming response, introduces five more characters, all of whom play content creators. 'This digital-native tone defines both the aesthetic and the texture of Video,' Srinidhi notes. With a heavy emphasis on sound, the film focuses as much on what's heard as what's seen. 'This genre doesn't support traditional screenplay structures,' he says. 'Events have to carry the story. I studied what worked—and more importantly, what didn't—in other found-footage films. Our editing and narrative rhythm are unique.'
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India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
What Sitaare Zameen Par's pay-per-view release on YouTube means for the industry
Aamir Khan is on a spree of taking bold steps for his film 'Sitaare Zameen Par'. After initially announcing an exclusive theatrical release, the superstar has now taken a sharp turn and decided to venture into YouTube. Starting today, August 1, the film is available via pay-per-view for an affordable price of Rs years, the conversation has revolved around SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) and AVOD (Advertising-based Video on Demand). Now, thanks to Aamir Khan, TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand) is back on the table. While not a new concept - viewers once rented VHS and later DVDs, digital rentals haven't yet gained mass traction in India. Platforms like Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube have offered TVOD, but none have created a cultural moment around it. Now, Aamir's move may do exactly massive reach in India India currently has the highest number of monthly YouTube users in the world. With around 491 million active users as of February 2025, nearly 80 percent of Indian internet users over the age of 18 use the platform regularly. A study cited by India CSR revealed that between January 2022 and March 2023, Indians spent a massive 6.1 trillion minutes on online video platforms, with YouTube accounting for around 88 percent of that time. According to an article on GrabOn, on average, users in India spend close to 30 hours a month watching YouTube, which works out to about an hour every established attention points to an audience habituated to mobile-first, ad-free or affordable paid content, exactly what Aamir aims to tap with TVOD on the trust is brokenWhile the decision surprised many, it also left the industry questioning his earlier stance. Aamir had publicly committed to a cinema-only release, a move appreciated by exhibitors and theatre owners. The Multiplex Association of India had even issued a statement lauding his loyalty to his press conference, the actor admitted to misleading the industry. 'I fold my hands and apologise because I lied when I said 'Sitaare Zameen Par' wouldn't be released on YouTube. I did it because I had no other choice. I had to protect my film's theatrical business. Otherwise, my dreams for this film would've ended there.'The apology has divided opinions as film distributor and theatre owner Raj Bansal told India Today that the trade and audience will never believe what Khan says in the future. 'This could impact his future films. If someone like Aamir Khan can lie, how will we trust others? He kept saying he won't be on OTT and now he's taken a U-turn in just six weeks. Personally, I am really disappointed; he could have waited longer. Maybe now that the film is not getting audiences, he hurried up with the digital release.'Why did Aamir choose TVOD?advertisementFor Aamir Khan, this isn't about shock value; it's a recalibration. He wants to preserve theatrical sanctity while building a direct revenue stream that doesn't depend on OTT platforms. At the press conference, when India Today questioned him about the move, especially in light of reports that global platforms had offered him Rs 150 crore for streaming rights, he explained:'There is a great difference between the pay-per-view model and the subscription model. When I release a film after eight weeks on a subscription model, people aren't buying my film. They are only subscribing to the OTT platform, and my film is one of the many offerings. And so, I don't want Rs 125 crore from a platform, a big company, I want Rs 100 from my audience. I have maintained that SVOD is only causing harm to the industry in the long run. I don't know about the revenue from the pay-per-view (PPV) model, but I feel this is the way ahead,' he control = More dataAn industry insider stated that this could well be a move to break the monopoly of global streaming giants. It also gives the actor-producer something OTT platforms don't: control and YouTube, he controls pricing, timing, and access to real-time data, a major edge for the producer-star. The profit-sharing model is also reportedly more favourable: a 45:55 split between YouTube and the creator. An executive from YouTube also shared with us how the platform is agnostic for its creators, and given that it's only a platform and not a content producer, they are more viable for TVOD hasn't scaled globally in recent years, especially after studios like Disney and HBO launched their own SVOD platforms, there's potential. 'We have a problem of plenty. The biggest challenge will be to have content that is appealing enough,' they said, adding that India's 140-crore population includes a massive segment that doesn't visit where it gets more interesting. YouTube isn't just widely accessed, it's habitual. Whether it's music, trailers, comedy sketches, or even full-length shows (mostly Pakistani dramas), users across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are already tuned in. The app is mobile-friendly, low-data, and doesn't require subscriptions or complicated navigation. For a middle-income family with limited tech access, spending Rs 100 for one film, especially one carrying Aamir Khan's name, may seem reasonable. For international fans, this could solve the long-standing issue of not having timely access to Indian theatrical curated disruptionThe superstar also announced plans to turn his YouTube channel into a space for emerging storytellers, albeit with curated content under the Aamir Khan Talkies banner. Could this evolve into a new kind of digital platform?Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi believes it's too early to say. He noted that while Aamir has the right to decide his release strategy, the shift from his earlier narrative is hard to ignore. In a conversation with India Today, he said, 'As a cinema purist, I still feel he could have waited a little longer. Audiences are back in cinemas, and we need to trust them. Even Hollywood films with superstars consider a six-seven-month frame before dropping them on TVOD. Aamir has been championing the need for a longer window, and we hope he continues to do that.'Calling the move an 'experiment', Rathi pointed out that while YouTube is widely used, it's not always the go-to for premium film content. He added, 'It's probably the first time something like this is happening. We don't know what this gap will do to the business. Also, whether these films will later arrive on SVOD remains to be seen.'advertisementRathi also touched upon Aamir's much-debated move: 'He has been in the business for 30 years, and he definitely would have his eyes on how to survive the next 30. He is doing what he believes in, and we hope it all pans out well for him.'The final wordThe question now is, can this model scale? Raj Bansal isn't convinced, at least not yet. 'If you can get a variety of content for Rs 1000-1500 for a year, I don't know if people would look at buying just one film at Rs 100. But maybe Aamir is looking at something we aren't yet.'Ultimately, this may remain a one-man revolution as Aamir Khan is a brand unto himself. His ability to drive audiences to an unconventional platform may not be replicable across the this to become a movement, others will have to test it, and it'll have to work for more than just the top one percent of actors or production houses. Whether this becomes a trend or just an Aamir-specific experiment remains to be seen.- EndsTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Aamir Khan
News18
28-07-2025
- News18
Satya Dev, Anandhi's Telugu Survival Drama Arabia Kadali Gets Release Date
Last Updated: Arabia Kadali, a Prime Video series by V. V. Surya Kumar, premieres August 8. Produced by Y. Rajeev Reddy and Sai Babu Jagarlamudi, it stars Satya Dev and Anandhi. An emotionally gripping tale of survival, brotherhood, and resilience will unfold on screens this August with Arabia Kadali, an upcoming Prime Video original series. Helmed by director V. V. Surya Kumar and backed by creators Krish Jagarlamudi and Chintakindi Srinivas Rao, the series is set to premiere on August 8. The announcement was made by the makers on Monday. Produced by Y. Rajeev Reddy and Sai Babu Jagarlamudi under the First Frame Entertainments banner, Arabia Kadali brings together an ensemble cast led by Satya Dev and Anandhi. Joining them in pivotal roles are Nassar, Raghu Babu, Dalip Tahil, Poonam Bajwa, Prabhavathi, Harsh Roshan, Pratyusha Sadhu, Kota Jayaram, Vamsi Krishna, Bharath Bhatia, Chandra Pratap Thakur, Danish Bhatt, Ravi Varma, Amith Tiwari, Nihar Pandya, and Alok Jain. Set against the backdrop of the unforgiving sea, the series explores the lives of fishermen from two rival villages who are swept away into international waters. Their accidental journey leads them into a foreign prison, far from home and stripped of their identity. The drama follows Badiri and his fellow fishermen as they endure isolation, harsh treatment, and fear—all while desperately seeking a way back to their families. Running parallel is the story of Ganga, whose fight against systemic injustice brings a powerful emotional layer to the narrative. Themes of friendship, endurance, and human spirit take center stage as Arabia Kadali challenges the limits of courage and hope. 'Arabia Kadali is much more than just another series for us. It's a deeply moving story of grit and determination," said producer Y. Rajeev Reddy. 'What sets it apart is the seamless blend of authentic storytelling, standout performances by Satyadev and Anandhi, and visually striking cinematography that captures both grand scale and emotional nuance. Along with Prime Video, we've brought this vision to life at the scale it deserves. We believe Arabia Kadali, with its emotional depth and deeply humane narrative, will strike a chord with audiences in India and around the world when it premieres on August 8." (With inputs from IANS) First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Pink Villa
24-07-2025
- Pink Villa
Fahadh Faasil wants to drive taxi in Barcelona after quitting films? Actor reveals his retirement plan
Fahadh Faasil is among the finest actors of Indian cinema. While he is climbing the ladder of success with each film, he made headlines in 2020, when he first opened up about his unusual retirement plans. The actor had revealed how he wanted to drive an Uber cab in Spain. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Fahadh Faasil was asked about the same and whether he still thinks about it. To which he responded positively. Fahadh Faasil stands by his retirement dream of driving people in Spain The Vikram actor expressed that he recently visited Barcelona and still thinks of becoming a cab driver there. Fahadh Faasil said, 'Yeah, yeah. Of course. We were in Barcelona a few months back. I still very much think about it. I think that'll only happen once people are done with me, you know?' Further, Fahadh added, 'Jokes aside, but just the idea of driving someone from one place to another, I think that's a beautiful thing. At least you're witnessing someone's destination.' The actor mentioned that he loves driving, and whenever he gets a chance, he takes out his car and drives. 'And I still do that, every time I get a chance to drive, I drive. There, here, everywhere. Whenever I get the chance, I take the wheel. It's something I still enjoy a lot. That's my time for myself. And it's really good for thinking while driving,' the actor highlighted. When Fahadh Faasil first opened up about his post-retirement dream Back in 2020, while promoting CU Soon, Fahadh Faasil had spilled the beans on his post-retirement career. He had also mentioned that his wife loved the idea of him driving people in Spain. 'As of now, there is nothing else that I would enjoy doing other than being an Uber driver. I would love to drive people around. I tell my wife that, as a retirement plan, I wish to move to Barcelona and drive people across Spain. She loves this plan,' said FaFa in a conversation with The Indian Express. On the work front, the Malayalam actor is gearing up for the release of Maareesan, co-starring Vadivelu. Directed by Sudheesh Sankar, the Tamil-language comedy thriller is set to hit the cinemas on July 25. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
