Kerala government to launch an OTT platform in an already crowded Malayalam digital space

Weeks after taking charge, the new Kerala minister of Cinema and Culture, Saji Cherain, announced a slew of changes that the government intends to make in the coming tenure to modernise the Malayalam film industry. A major change was the announcement of an OTT platform.

The minister announced that the state will float a new OTT platform that will showcase films made by those other than the stars. He mentioned that while star-driven movies might not need this facility in the beginning, it will serve other talents who will want to feature their work.

The Culture Department Secretary and the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) will be working together to create the feasibility plan of the State-run OTT platform, said the minister in a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram, recently.

Malayalam already has a host of OTT platforms including Saina Play, Roots, Manorama MAX, Mainstream, NeeStream and Prime Reels. A few days ago, another platform Matinee was launched by Prithviraj. This too serves to showcase the work of newcomers.

Those behind Matinee are project designer NM Badusha, who has worked in the majority of the Malayalam films that have been released on OTTs including Irul and Cold Case, and producer Shinoy Mathew. In a press meet held in Ernakulam, Badusha said, “Our main aim is to help people who want to come to the film industry – be it directors, actors or scriptwriters. Through this platform, we will be able to bring more people to the industry.”