Emraan Hashmi has spoken candidly about the changing landscape of the theatrical business, expressing concern over how shrinking release windows and shifting audience habits are impacting cinema attendance.
In an interview with PTI, the actor pointed to the narrowing gap between theatrical releases and their arrival on OTT platforms as a key factor influencing viewer behaviour. With films now debuting online within four to six weeks of their cinema release, Hashmi said many audiences are choosing to bypass theatres altogether.
According to the actor, unless a film delivers a large-scale spectacle, a deeply emotional love story or hit music, viewers are increasingly opting for the convenience of home viewing. He noted that the prevailing mindset among audiences has become, “We will watch this at home in like four to six weeks.”
Hashmi was also asked to respond to recent comments made by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio about the troubling state of the global theatrical business. Agreeing with DiCaprio’s assessment, Hashmi said the situation was indeed “worrisome”.
To illustrate his point, he referred to DiCaprio’s latest Oscar-winning film, One Battle After Another. Despite critical acclaim and awards recognition, the film struggled to attract audiences to cinemas. Hashmi remarked that a decade ago, such a film would likely have performed far better theatrically, adding that it is now often perceived as the kind of project viewers prefer to watch on streaming platforms.
He explained that this shift in mindset did not exist ten years ago, making the current climate particularly challenging for filmmakers. “It has become very difficult,” he said.
Hashmi also noted that the industry is responding cautiously to these changes, with filmmakers and producers carefully weighing what is likely to succeed on the big screen. As a result, he said his own approach to selecting projects has become more stringent, with a greater emphasis on choosing work that feels impactful, whether for theatrical release or OTT. “The rejection process is a little more elaborate,” he added.
In addition to release strategies, Hashmi pointed to rising ticket prices and the expansion of multiplexes as contributing factors behind declining theatre footfalls.
On the professional front, the actor is set to be seen next in the web series Taskaree, which premieres on Netflix.