Films arriving on over-the-top (OTT) platforms within months of release in theatres have played an important role in curbing piracy, believes actor Arun Vijay.
Vijay, who predominantly works in Tamil cinema, said even his films have fallen prey to piracy including the 2019 superhit "T🔯hadam".
&q🔜uot;It (piracy) has been reduced as the window of films coming on OTT after theatrical release has been reduced to 21 to 30 days and so on.
"There are people who wait and w꧙atch it on OTT on legitimate sites and it is good in a way in stopping piracy," the 44-year-old actor told PTI in a Zoom interview.
Vijay is looking forward to the premiere of his debut web series “Tamil𝕴 Rockerz”, which borrows its title from the piracy site of the same name infamous ꦦfor leaking upcoming films, series, music and videos.
Directed by Arivazhagan Venkatachalam of “Eeram” fame, thওe upcoming thriller show follows the journey of Rudra (Vijay), a cop, who must fight against time, unruly fans, and an anonymous network of cyber pirates to secure a massively budgeted and highly anticipated movie, from the notorious piracy group.
The eight-epis🉐ode fictional series, penned by Manoj Kumar Ka𒁏laivanan, is backed by AVM Productions.
Through a well-researched series like “Tamil Rockerz”, Vijay said the team's aim is🔴 to make the audience realise the effort and money that goes behind making a movie.
“Piracy has affected all of us... The whole ind෴ustry across languages, irrespective of it being a big or small film... We all wait for a huge response from the audience in theatres and suddenly your film is being telecast on a pirated site. It is disheartening.
"We are trying to tell peo🦂ple that so much hard work and 🔥money is put into entertaining people and due respect must be given to filmmakers and creators by watching films on legitimate sites and theatres,” he added.
Vijay said his character Rudra is a person who doesn’t like watching movies but it's interesting t♋o see how he gets involved in this case🏅 of film piracy.
"While doing this show, I learnt how this whole network works. So much r🔜esearch went into this. We are hopeful the audience will like it,” he said.
In the past, the rise of satellite TV chalꦦlenged theatres and today the exhibition sector is affected by the OTT boom, he added.
“In every period th♛ere was something coming up that would stop people from coming to theatres. But we have crossed all those hurdles and have had our huge (box office) coll﷽ections,” the actor, known for “Yennai Arindhaal”, “Chakravyuha” and "Oh My Dog", said.
“Tod꧂ay, there are so many platforms to watch content at the click of a button. They (audience) are well educated and we have to make sensible films and give them a theatrical experience,” he added.
Vijay, who has been basking in t🤪he success of his Tamil movie “Y🍰aanai”, said the onus of luring people to cinema halls lies on actors and filmmakers.
“People want to watch good cinema♈ in theatres, so it is upon ๊us as actors about how we excite them. There is a pressure and we have to be responsible in selecting the right content.
"Ther🉐e is a part of the audience watching content on OTT but it won’t affect cinema, which enjoys a loyal (fan) following. Bringing audiences to cinemas is important with content that is worth their money and time. We are under pressure. We want to give our best.”
However, the criteria of choosing a film remains the same, 🥃which begins with the script for the actor.
"I don’t want to force anything. I li🃏sten to scripts like an audience member. If the script excites me, connects with me, I say yes to it.
"Then, I look at my character, how well it will be presented, how the film will be designed♏, the music director, etc. If the content is good, it will be acꦛcepted across the country in all languages,” he added.
Next up for Vijay is the Tamil-language spy thriller “Borrder”, also directed by Venkatachalam with whom he has previously collaborated ♑on “Eeram” and “Kutram 23”.
The actor hopes that people go to watch “Borrder” on the big screen. A release date for the movie🐓 is yet to be announced.
Vijay is excited about “Gumraah𝕴”, the upcoming Hindi remake of “Thadam”.
"I ಞam really happy that my film is being remade and I am looking forward to watching it,” hꦅe added.
Also starring Vani Bhajan, Ishwarya Menon, Azhagam Perumal, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan and M S Bhaskar i✅n pivotal roles, “Tamil Rockerz” will be available for streaming on SonyLIV from Friday.
