Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi sees enough space for mainstream cinema and OTT in the post-Covid world.
Speaking at 'Foresight', the annual conclave of Odisha Television Networks Limited (OTV) on Friday, Huma said that OTT platforms and movie theatres, including multiplexes, will co-exist in future.
"We all have to customise our experiences. They both will co-exist because people need different things for each season and moods. Be it a Spiderman movie or a Bhansali, Rohit Shetty, Rajamouli or Raj Kumar Hirani movie, they are like events and celebrations for us. We can't miss them on big screens," she said.
"We love going out. I am a 90’s kid. So, I love the idea of the big screen. I love sitting in a theatre with a bucket of popcorn. At the same time, as an actor and audience, I completely enjoy what the OTT has to offer today. Some of the best writing and acting talents are found over there. OTT has not only helped cinema lovers during the Covid times but it has suddenly opened the doors for world cinema. People are now watching Mexican shows, Italian and Korean drama. So in that perspective, I think both will co-exist in the future," she asserted.
On being asked about the best, close-to-heart character she has played on screen ever, Huma said, “You can’t really chose one best finger from your hand, because they all are yours. But, at the cost of politically incorrect, I would say, the character I played in Gangs of Wasseypur will be my all time favourite.”
She also spoke at length about the hardships people related to the movie industry had to endure during the Covid lockdown.
"Last 2 years were unprecedented. There was so much uncertainty, fear of losing the life of loved ones are not good for our psyche. Social distancing was an alien thing for us. Movies were the one thing that kept us going, and the OTT platforms had some terrific contents which made people glued to the mobile phones," she said.
Life finds a way and we found a way through the OTT. Now that the cinemas are open, we are getting back and that too with a bang, Huma concluded with hopes that the pandemic did not recur.