Whenever we read a story or watch a movie, we always hope for a happy ending that can provide us a satisfying feeling. The happy ending of a story implies completeness in itself. The achievement of Moksha. But the prevailing trend is a bit different. Be it the latest sunflower or Aashram or Family Man. Everywhere, there is an incomplete story leading to a bit of malaise. That something is lacking, the completeness. The onset of OTT has made it more frequent. An incomplete story means a more eagerly waiting audience. But where this trend started from?

Older was the time of monopoly of single-screen theatre. The movies were released on Friday with huge admirers waiting promptly. The tickets were sold in black. The hare-core fans of superstars never missed the “first-day first show” which was considered as the slang for fanatic movie lovers. 

Then came the multiscreen concept where we have lots of options for watching movies in a single complex. Choosing different genre movies became easy for all age groups. The cinema was then an entertainment and fast food amalgamation. Moreover, the fans were divided over the number of screens available in any metropolitan. The online booking option made it easy for movie lovers to book seats of their choice. The ticket blacking was history then. Mobile and the internet were accessible effortlessly everywhere.

Then came the OTT – Over the Top platform. With low-cost internet and smartphones in every hand, along with no time to spare from a fast going world, youngsters preferred it for being cost-effective, ease of watching, and time-saving. Even the movie can be watched in parts now, as per the availability of time – while riding the bus/metro/cab, while waiting for a friend, while sitting in a restaurant, and so on. Hence, OTT provided so many convenient measures which were not available with the single screens or multi-screens.

But to keep the wick burning continuous supply of oil is required. If one has to keep engaged the audience, there must be something which can attract them for long. And then emerged the concept of so-called “Seasons”. Viewers wait vigorously for the next when they remained unsatisfied from the story they have correlated themselves. In the end, they felt dumbfound because it was an incomplete one. Something was lacking, for which they wait envisage. Blame it on OTT barely? I don’t think so.

The concept was revived well by the most awaited movie Bahubali. Isn’t it? Then how can we blame narrowly OTT? Then came the KGF whose next part is awaited as on date. Some other movies like Foot fairy, Drishyam, Special 26, etc. too have incomplete stories. But when we look at the past movies, we too have lots of movies that went unnoticed. Aankhen (2002) staring Amitabh and Akshay has an unfinished end. Herapheri series and Dhoom Series to do so. These are a few examples only. If we go deeper, there are lots of movies that are left at the point where there is a scope of making the next part. So, OTT is not to blame only, it’s regular cinema as well playing the game since its commencement. 

  • Dr. R.K. Panchal

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