OTT regulation has more to do with hurting sentiments than sex or violence: Vikram Bhatt

Noted director Vikram Bhatt says that regulating the OTT space is a sensitive issue as problems can arise if sentiments are hurt by a film or a show.

"This has more to do with hurting sentiments than sex or violence. I don't know if there is anything called absolute freedom. If you break the rules, you will pay," he told DH in an exclusive interview.

His comments come at a time when streaming giant Amazon Prime Video is under fire for its latest show Tandav. The Saif Ali Khan-starrer was released in January and received mixed to negative reviews for the underwhelming execution. A few feathers were ruffled because of a scene in which Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub was seen dressed as Lord Mahadev. The sequence was subsequently deleted with Amazon issuing a statement on the matter.

Mirzapur 2 too ran into trouble when an FIR was filed against the makers for hurting 'regional sentiments'.

Also read: Will these web series be affected by the new OTT guidelines?

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar recently announced guidelines for OTT platforms amid the controversies. He said that all streamers need to follow a self-regulation mechanism while setting up a grievance redressal system. He added that all content needs to be categorised based on whether it is appropriate for a specific age group.

Vikram, meanwhile, is going through a busy phase on the work front. The Haunted helmer is set to collaborate with mentor Mahesh Bhatt for a film after two decades.

"He is my guru and has always followed and been aware of whatever I do. We are working together after a long time. When Bhatt saab writes a scene, there is nothing much that I need to do as a filmmaker. In a way, this can spoil us," he added.

He is also awaiting the release of the web series Maaya 4, directed by his daughter Krishna Bhatt. It revolves around the journey of a couple that moves to Mumbai from a small town and is likely to have a few bold scenes.