Updated [June, 2020]: Digital streaming platforms support as Plan-B to premiere films during lockdown

Digital content consumption has been at an all-time high during the global lockdown.

Whether it’s web-series, films or podcasts, people are turning to digital streaming platforms for their entertainment-fix.

Like most business, Bollywood too has been hit hard due to the lockdown. With the closure of cinema halls and production of on-going projects, the industry has tuned to Plan-B, i.e. digital release of finished products.

Films that were gearing for theatrical releases in March & April will now get a digital premiere on OTT platforms.

Here’s a list for you to mark your calendars for the next home-movie-date
[Watch this space for more updates on the story]:

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: 12 August 2020

Starring Janhvi Kapoor in a titular role in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, the actress will essay the role of the first female and Indian woman air-force pilot in combat. The makers recently announced the collaboration with Netflix and is expected to begin streaming on 15 August 2020.

Shakuntala Devi
Platform: Amazon Prime
Release Date: 31 July 2020

Starring Vidya Balan in a titular role, Shakuntala Devi was scheduled for a theatrical release on 8 May 2020. However, the makers are now considering a digital release on an OTT platform. Written and directed by Anu Menon, the film is produced by Sony Pictures Networks India and Abundantia Entertainment.

Sadak 2
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Release Date: TBD

The sequel to the 1991 hit Sadak was announced in September 2018 and was scheduled for release on 25 March 2020. The makers have reportedly struck a profitable deal with Disney+ Hotstar to release in directly on the digital platform. Sadak 2 stars Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt and Pooja Bhatt.

Khaali Peeli
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: TBD

Khaali Peeli starring Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday is a romantic-comedy directed by Maqbool Khan. Reportedly Netflix has acquired the rights of the film amidst the lockdown and will be announcing a release date soon.

Laxmmi Bomb
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Release Date: TBD

Written and directed by Raghava Lawrence, Laxmmi Bomb is a horror-comedy starring Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani. The film is said to have completed shooting in March 2020 and is working toward finishing the post-production to release in online. The expected digital release date is expected in late June 2020.

Chhalaang
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Release Date: [expected] July 2020

Chhalaang starring Rajkummar Rao and Nushrat Bharucha is in post-production under the banner of T-Series, who have reportedly been in talks with Netflix to negotiate a deal for digital release on the platform.

Shershaah & Indoo Ki Jawani
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: TBD

Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, Shehshaah is based on the life of Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain Vikram Batra. Directed by Vishnuvardha and co-produced by Dharma Productions, the film was completed in January 2020 and awaiting release. It will showcase Sidharth Malhotra in a double role, as Captain Vikram Batra and his twin Vishal Batra. Indoo Ki Jawani starring Kiara Advani with Aditya Seal has also reportedly completed all post-production and in talk with the streaming platform to close on a release date.

Chehre
Platform: TBD
Release Date: TBD

Makers of Chehre starring Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi are also considering going digital since the film’s initial release was scheduled for 24 April, 2020. Producer Anand Pandit said they will wait till the first week of June to take the final call.

Gulabo Sitabo
Platform: Amazon Prime
Release Date: 12 June 2020 [released]

Written by Juhi Chaturvedi, Gulabo Sitabo is a comedy-drama described as a “quirky tale of two slimy scheming foxes in a game of one-upmanship, each one attracting other members to their clan and each one with an agenda of his own.” Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurana in lead role, the film is direted by Shoojit Sircar and produced by Ronnie Lahiri and Sheel Kumar.

Ghoomketu
Platform: ZEE5 Premium
Release Date: 22 May 2020 [released]

Starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a titular role, Ghoomketu is about an aspiring writer from UP who moves to Mumbai to try his luck as a Bollywood writer. Directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, the film also stars Anurag Kashshay and Ragini Khanna. The film was completed in 2014 and has been struggling to get a release due to issues with finances and production houses. Ghoomketu will finally see light of day on ZEE5, that acquired its rights from Phantom Films and Sony Pictures.