Pooja Bhatt, whose “Cabaret” is releasing on a digital platform, says the medium is not a step down for her as a producer. Pooja was intercating with media while promoting Cabret. “Cabaret” was to release in 2016. It was delayed due to differences between the producers Pooja, T-Series and Wave Cinemas.
Now, Pooja has decided to release it on digital platform ZEE5. Asked if she feels sad that “Cabaret” will not have a big screen release, she said: “Not at all. At the beginning of my career, I did a small film called ‘Daddy’ which was produced by Doordarshan. During that time, people asked Mahesh Bhatt why are you launching your own daughter with a television film? Bhatt (Mahesh Bhatt) saab asked me ‘You want to be recognised as an actor or a star)’, so I told him that ‘I want to be recognised as an actor’.”
“Till today, people recognise me with that film. Then, he made ‘Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee’ taking me and Rahul Roy for Zee Television. That time also people asked him why are you doing satellite release of such a good film, but Bhatt saab thought that we have to change norms and we have to go towards new platforms. So, I am just taking that legacy forward. I feel this is not a step down for me.”
Pooja said that in future, she would like to produce more films on digital platforms. “In fact, I will make an effort to release most of my films on digital platforms. I will plan more ways specifically for a digital release and not burden it with promotion and advertising budget. Unfortunately because of this, half of the films don’t get released. Most of the times, people finish their films but releasing a film is a different art and to do that, you need to be stubborn and you need to have patience. I always feel you need to give dignified and proper release to the film in which Zee is supporting me for that, I am very grateful to them.” Directed by Kaustav Narayan Niyogi, “Cabaret” stars Richa Chadha, Gulshan Devaiah, S. Sreesanth and Gulshan Grover.
