Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has voiced concern about the current state of theatrical cinema, saying that quality films are struggling to find space in the industry. His comments come amid the lukewarm box-office response to his latest directorial, O' Romeo, which stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles.
In a recent interaction with PTI, Bhardwaj reflected on the changing landscape of filmmaking and distribution, stating that strong scripts often get caught between theatrical and streaming platforms. “Now there is a straight demarcation: ‘This is the subject; take it to OTT,’ and OTT people say, ‘No, we don’t want it; release it in theatres first, then we will take it here.’ Good films are getting beaten in the process,” he said.
The filmmaker also noted that the global film industry is going through a challenging phase. According to him, filmmakers today must rethink how they approach theatrical storytelling while still retaining their artistic voice. “We are in a very strange and difficult phase of filmmaking. I think it’s global,” Bhardwaj explained, adding that making films specifically for theatres now requires a “new perspective.” Despite the mixed theatrical response to O’ Romeo, Bhardwaj has remained confident about the film’s impact. He previously said he is proud of the project and believes it will eventually find its audience. “This film is going to be the most successful film of my life. I am extremely happy and proud of the violence and the love story I have created,” he remarked.
Released earlier this year, O’ Romeo opened to mixed reviews and moderate box-office numbers, crossing over ₹80 crore worldwide during its run. The film marks Bhardwaj’s fourth collaboration with Shahid Kapoor, following acclaimed projects like Kaminey and Haider.
Also Read: Vishal Bhardwaj DEFENDS violence in cinema, says ‘we are born out of Mahabharata’
More Pages: O' Romeo Box Office Collection , O' Romeo Movie Review
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