As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experience in the Indian film industry, I find myself in agreement with Siddharth Roy Kapur‘s analysis of the 2024 entertainment landscape. Having witnessed the transformation of Indian cinema from VHS tapes to digital streaming platforms, it is evident that we are now entering a new era of selective consumption and strategic recalibration.

The polarization in theatrical results, as Kapur points out, is not surprising given the changing viewing habits that have been reinforced during the pandemic. As someone who has watched the rise and fall of numerous films, I can attest to the fact that people are indeed becoming more discerning about which movies they choose to watch in a movie theater.

The success of franchise films like “Pushpa 2: The Rise” is particularly intriguing, demonstrating the potential for exponential growth between installments. As someone who has reviewed countless sequels over the years, I can say that it’s not every day that a film franchise achieves such remarkable success!

The increased selectivity about theatrical projects and the fewer releases in 2024 are understandable given the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19. As someone who has navigated the industry through numerous ups and downs, I can only imagine the difficulties faced by producers and distributors during these trying times.

The streaming sector’s corporate restructuring, including Disney’s merger with Reliance’s Viacom18/Jio and the collapsed Sony-Zee deal, is not a surprising development given the competitive nature of the industry. As someone who has seen numerous players come and go, I can only hope that the survivors learn from their mistakes and adapt to the changing landscape.

In conclusion, 2024 was indeed a transitional year for Indian entertainment, marked by consolidation and strategic recalibration rather than consumer-facing initiatives. However, as someone who remains optimistic about the future of Indian cinema, I look forward to 2025 with anticipation. With major stars returning to screens, successful streaming shows generating second and third seasons, and a maturing market, next year promises to be an exciting time for movie enthusiasts like me!

And as they say in the industry, “The show must go on!” Even if it’s on a smaller screen this time around! 😉

the widening gap in box office earnings and a time of adjustment for streaming platforms. He describes this year as more focused on behind-the-scenes business decisions rather than consumer-focused projects, labeling it as a “year of pause” with an emphasis on industry transactions over consumer entertainment.

As someone who has spent years working in the Indian entertainment industry, both at Disney India and now as the founder of Roy Kapur Films, I have seen a significant shift in audience behavior towards movie-watching. Over the past year, COVID-19 has undeniably changed our lives in numerous ways, including how we consume media. This transformation is particularly evident in the movie theater industry, where people are becoming increasingly selective about which films they choose to watch on the big screen.

In my personal experience, I’ve observed that audiences are now more discerning than ever before, opting to attend theaters only for films that truly resonate with them or offer something unique and captivating. This trend has been further amplified in 2021, as people seem to be eagerly waiting for specific movies that they believe will be worth their time and money.

In my annual analysis of the Indian entertainment business for EbMaster, I emphasize this shift in audience preferences and its implications for filmmakers and producers alike. The key takeaway is that creating compelling content has never been more important, as audiences are now less likely to settle for mediocre offerings. Instead, they are actively seeking out films that speak to their interests and values, and I believe this trend will continue to shape the future of our industry.

Roy Kapur observes that movies that have been successful at the box office are doing better than before the pandemic, but films lacking strong audience buzz are not doing as well as they used to. This divide has grown larger due to fewer films being released in 2024, which he partly ascribes to production delays caused by COVID-19 and a greater focus on choosing theatrical projects carefully.

Roy Kapur points out that popular movies are doing better than before the pandemic, but unpopular ones aren’t doing as well. This gap has grown due to fewer films being released in 2024, which he thinks is partly because of COVID-19 production delays and a focus on choosing good movies for cinemas.

2021 was a standout year for franchise movies, with “Pushpa 2: The Rise” showing promising signs of significant growth from one part to the next. The initial Hindi release of “Pushpa” made $45 million despite being affected by Omicron, but its sequel has already surpassed $200 million in global earnings.

As a film enthusiast, I firmly believe that the surge in popularity of South Indian films within Hindi-speaking markets is largely due to their unique portrayal of heroism. In contrast to recent Hindi cinema, these movies seem to deliver the kind of heroism that audiences crave from their cinematic journeys. Characters like those in “Pushpa,” “K.G.F,” “RRR” and “Baahubali” feel reminiscent of Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic character from “Deewar,” but amped up on steroids, if you will.

2024 saw significant changes in the streaming industry, such as Disney’s merger with Reliance’s Viacom18/Jio and the collapse of the Sony-Zee deal. Roy Kapur notes that these events often result in a slowdown within the market. Even companies not directly involved, like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, became more cautious during this timeframe.

The emphasis on expanding subscriber bases among streaming platforms is likely to shape content production strategies in the future. As Roy Kapur explains, once a certain number of subscribers (those economically capable of affording these services) have been acquired, the focus shifts towards widening the user base. Consequently, we can anticipate an influx of more mass-market and commercially viable films and series emerging from these platforms.

Cricket continues to be a crucial element for both TV and streaming services, yet Roy Kapur underscores the necessity of sustaining viewer involvement during intervals between significant sports competitions. He suggests that ongoing series with relatable characters are essential for keeping viewers invested over a longer duration, to minimize the loss of subscribers during tournaments.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve observed that 2024 seems to be a period of transition rather than a bustling year for consumer-facing entertainment. It’s been more about behind-the-scenes maneuvering, with businesses focusing on their dealings with each other, rather than directly with consumers. This year has felt more like a business-to-business (B2B) environment, teeming with consolidation and merger activities, some happening, others not.

As we move towards 2025, Roy Kapur expects a surge of activity in movie theaters as prominent actors make their comeback following restricted screen appearances in 2024. His production company is gearing up for the theatrical release of “Deva” featuring Shahid Kapoor on January 31, and “Matka King” to debut on Prime Video later in the year. Moreover, he points out that popular streaming shows are being renewed for multiple seasons, suggesting a maturing market.

In the coming year, each player will shift their attention more towards consumers as their businesses find stability in their new forms. They are expected to become more visible and engaged again, Roy Kapur suggests. Despite the potential difficulties in 2024, Kapur remains optimistic, expressing his belief that there will be an improvement or upturn next year.

2024 saw a relatively muted response from Hollywood in India, as noted by Roy Kapur. He pointed out that many successful Western films didn’t resonate with Indian viewers. “The films that have been successful in the West this year,” he said, “have not typically been the kind that would appeal to Indian audiences.” Additionally, he suggested a potential exhaustion of interest in superhero movies among viewers.

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2024-12-31 12:17