The battle for Bollywood: virus, streaming apps spark fears for cinemasWith Indian cinemas closed, Bollywood producers are turning to the likes of Amazon, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar to release films onlineMUMBAI - A Bollywood actor's face tattooed on his arm, Sandeep Bacche's devotion shocks few in India where stars enjoy semi-divine status. But even here the hallowed silver screen may be losing its shine to streaming services and pandemic fears. With cinemas shut for months due to a coronavirus lockdown, and little prospect they will reopen soon, frustrated Bollywood producers have turned to the likes of Amazon, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar to release films online. "Movie stars are not made on the small screen but on the silver screen," Siddharth Jain, INOX executive director, told AFP. - Virus measures -Vijay Subramaniam, Amazon Prime's director of content for India, insisted the company was not looking to put cinemas out of business.

Source: Bangkok Post July 03, 2020 05:03 UTC