Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2 flouted OTT norms of MAI? Here's what we know

Kamal Haasan's action drama - Indian was a blockbuster hit when it was released in 1996, grossing Rs 64 crore worldwide. However, two decades later, the sequel Indian 2 was a box office disaster, shocking both filmmakers and the audiences. Despite a reported budget of Rs. 250-309 crores, the sequel only made Rs. 150 crores worldwide. Now, MAI has sent legal notice to the Indian 2 team for not following the OTT norms.

MAI sends legal notice to Indian 2

According to Pinkvilla, the Multiplex Association of India (MAl) has sent a legal notice to the Indian 2 team, claiming that the film flouted the important rule of the 8-week OTT window.

“The Multiplex Association of India has laid a set of rules for theatrical release of films in Hindi. The rules expect the producers to follow a strict 8-week OTT window, "a close source told Pinkvilla.

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The Kamal Haasan starrer, which had a theatrical release on July 12, was available for streaming on Netflix on August 9. All versions of the film, including Hindi, were available on the OTT platform.

The source further said that when Indian 2’s Hindi version Hindustani 2 was released on Netflix, it came as a shock for the association. According to them, Hindustani 2 should have been released on September 6 on OTT, but it's already streaming.

"The rules expect the producers to follow a strict 8-week OTT window, and the ones who don’t obey the laid guidelines, won’t get a release in the top 3 national multiplex chains – PVRInox and Cinepolis. The team of Indian 2 aka. Hindustani 2 had agreed on the said guidelines and fetched a release in national chains," the source explained.

The source concluded by saying that the Multiplex Association of India has strictly conveyed to the film producers to follow the 8-week window rule. "If one producer gets away, it allows many more to follow suit. The idea is to set an example that such acts won’t be taken lightly. The MAI is very clear on maintaining an 8-week OTT window for all films seeing a release in North India”, the source stated.

About Indian 3

Kamal Haasan had earlier given some hints about Indian 3. He also revealed that the third instalment was shot side-by-side with Indian 2. Back in July, the veteran actor also claimed that he liked Indian 3 more than Indian 2. However, he also agreed that the second instalment was also the most difficult film he has ever done in his career.

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