2018 on OTT: Jude Anthany Joseph thanks Sony LIV for trusting film before release, ‘This is part of business’

Malayalam filmmaker Jude Anthany Joseph, who helmed the blockbuster 2018, has now reacted to the two-day theatre strike organised by the Federation of Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) from June 7, on account of the movie’s early OTT release.

The theatre exhibitors had alleged that the movie’s producer had breached the contract with them that states that a film can begin streaming on OTT platform only 42 days after its theatrical release. 2018 released on Sony LIV on June 7, 33 days after it hit cinema halls on May 5.

Also read: 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph on Sony LIV's feedback after picking up its OTT rights 

FEUOK members also said that from now on they will not be collaborating with any producer who breaches the contract and had sought to increase the window of OTT release from 42 days to 90 days. They also stated that 2018 has been excluded because the producer had entered into agreement with the OTT platform before May 31.

The movie had grossed over Rs 175 crore worldwide. Through his social media post, Jude clarified his stance on the issue. “My way has always been to ensure that the producer’s (investment) is recovered before the film’s release. That’s why when Sony LIV had approached with the deal, I thought it was godsend. No one does this willingly. This is part of business,” he wrote, thanking Sony LIV for “trusting our film before the release” and the audience for “loving our film”. He also wrote the theatre owners and the audiences are “the real heroes”.

Also read: 2018's OTT release ruined its chance of becoming the first ever Malayalam film to gross Rs 200 Cr: FEUOK president 

In an earlier interview with us, Jude said that after the representatives of Sony LIV had watched the movie, they thought “it was a story that would with people across the country”. The film, which has Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali and Kunchacko Boban, is currently streaming in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada on the digital platform. 2018 can also be watched on OTTplay Premium.