Theatrical business worrisome, mid-size films need to do well: Emraan Hashmi
By Komal PanchamatiaActor Emraan Hashmi has expressed concern over the current state of theatrical business in India, saying that audiences are increasingly turning up only for large-scale “event films,” leaving mid-budget movies struggling for visibility and box-office traction.

Hashmi said the changing viewing habits have made him more selective about the projects he signs, particularly for theatrical release. “The thing is, it has become extremely difficult for theatrical films to put stuff out there. There is a lot of stuff that you feel should go on OTT because it is concept-driven,” the actor told PTI.

According to Hashmi, mid-size films—once the backbone of Hindi cinema—are facing the brunt of the shift, as theatrical success is now largely dominated by spectacle-driven or franchise films. “Audiences are coming to theatres for event films. Mid-size movies need to do well theatrically for the ecosystem to remain healthy,” he said, adding that the current trend makes it challenging for such films to recover costs and find adequate screens.

The actor noted that this has led him to adopt a more elaborate rejection process, carefully weighing whether a story is better suited for a theatrical outing or an OTT platform. “As an actor, you have to be pragmatic today. The medium should serve the content,” he said.

Hashmi, who had two theatrical releases in 2025—Ground Zero and Haq—will next be seen in Netflix’s upcoming series Taskaree, where he essays the role of a customs official. He said OTT platforms have become an important space for nuanced, content-driven storytelling that may not always find a place in theatres under the current market dynamics.

Despite the challenges, Hashmi stressed the importance of reviving confidence in mid-budget films. “If only big films work theatrically, it’s worrying for the industry in the long run,” he said, underscoring the need for a balanced cinematic ecosystem where diverse stories can thrive across platforms.