Global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas spoke at a virtual press conference at the launch of streaming platform ZEE5 in the US, late Tuesday evening. Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global announced the launch.
During the event, the actress spoke about how the OTT platform has given an opportunity to the audience to consume diverse stories at the comfort of their home.
In the conference, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said that “People should embrace streaming platforms because they have not only allowed the audience to consume diverse stories but also democratized the film industry.
The actress made her digital debut with the Netflix drama film The White Tiger in 2021, said that streaming services have made artists think outside the “formula” of a Bollywood film.”
“That’s what you’re seeing in Indian cinema – the freedom of streaming services is allowing people to have larger thoughts than the formula that existed before. That there should be five songs, a fight sequence. That formula has gone away. Now people want to tell great, real stories, with which they identify,” she added.
‘The Sky is Pink‘ actress said the boom of the streaming services, particularly in India, has broken down the monopoly of a “specific number of people”, resulting in newer storytelling.
“It’s amazing because it gives new writers, actors, filmmakers an opportunity to come into an industry that was monopolized for a long time by a very specific number of people. It’s a great time for growth, entertainment, and specifically for Indian cinema,” she added.
Priyanka further said, “The OTT platforms have brought in a remarkable comfort to the audience but it cannot be compared to a theatrical experience.”
However, the actress firmly believes that due to the current OTT boom, theatrical is not going anywhere.
She said, “The freedom that streaming has provided to the audiences around the world is that you can watch a movie at the comfort of your homes. That’s amazing.
“It’s spreading culture, teaching people, educating them, there’s a large, new audience that is being exposed to all kinds of Indian cinema,” she added.
The Indian film industry is going through an “exciting time” and people should wholeheartedly “embrace streaming as much as we can, It’s not the future, it’s the present,” Quantico actress said.
At the event, she also said that she wants South Asian artists should get recognition on the global stage.
Adding to this she said, “I have been one of the very few people who have had the privilege of being able to be in the entertainment business in two of the largest entertainment industries in the world.
“My quest is to be able to create more recognition, representation and to be able to have South Asians feel seen and heard, especially within the international community outside of South Asia,” the actor added.
At the launch event, ZEE5 unveiled its original films and other films across multiple languages to release on the platform in the coming months.
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