Hotstar announces direct release of seven blockbuster films
After its successful launch in India, Disney+ Hotstar (Hotstar in UK) is set to revolutionise the way hundreds of millions of Indians watch movies with the launch of Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex. As the nation inches towards normalcy, India’s largest video service brings the magic of Bollywood blockbusters and its biggest stars directly to millions of smartphones across the country.
Fans across the country have been eagerly waiting to see their favourite stars and get back to the joy and emotions of new Bollywood Blockbuster releases. Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex promises just that.
Starting 24th July 2020, Bollywood fans can watch the premieres of seven of the most-awaited movies of 2020 featuring India’s most loved actors, including Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani in ‘Laxmmi Bomb’, Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha and Sanjay Dutt in ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India’, late Sushant Singh Rajput, Sanjana Sanghi and Saif Ali Khan in ‘Dil Bechara’, Sanjay Dutt, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur and Pooja Bhatt in ‘Sadak 2’, Abhishek Bachchan in ‘The Big Bull’, Vidyut Jammwal in ‘Khuda Haafiz’ and Kunal Kemmu and Rasika Dugal in ‘Lootcase’ amongst others.
Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex will usher in a new re-imagined ‘first-day first-show’ for Bollywood fans, by treating them to the most anticipated movies of superstars like Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn being delivered directly to their mobiles; truly experiencing ‘First Day First Show ki home delivery’. Existing subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar Premium and Disney+ Hotstar VIP can enjoy these blockbuster movies at no additional cost to their existing subscription.
The first movie of Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex will be ‘Dil Bechara’, starring late Sushant Singh Rajput; and to commemorate his invaluable contribution to Hindi cinema, this movie will be available to all subscribers and non-subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar.
Uday Shankar – President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star & Disney India, said, “At Disney+ Hotstar, we firmly believe in pushing boundaries to achieve the unexpected. A few years ago, we took an audacious step of bringing sports closer to people by streaming it LIVE on mobile devices – a move that forever changed the course of LIVE sports in India. Today as we launch Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex, we find ourselves yet again at the cusp of making a revolutionary change by bringing the biggest Bollywood movies directly to millions across the country. We are happy to partner with the best directors and most talented actors; and provide them with a platform to present their masterpieces.”
Speaking about this initiative and its effect on the overall industry, he further added, “Theatres are a special experience. So, they will always exist and thrive. But the potential of the industry can’t be capped by the number of release windows and theatres available. Our initiative will dramatically increase the number of films that can be made, giving film-lovers more films to enjoy and the creative community more films to make. We firmly believe that this will generate a massive momentum for more and different kinds of films to be made in India. It’s a win-win for all.”
Akshay Kumar who stars in ‘Laxmmi Bomb’ said, “We are excited and glad to have our movie Laxmmi Bomb being made available to millions of fans across the country on Disney+ Hotstar VIP! The movie is extremely dear to me as it is something unique I have attempted for the first time! It is an entertaining mélange of horror and humour and it has a strong social message attached to it! I am certain that this movie will bring joy and hope for everyone in these trying times!”
Ajay Devgn who will be seen in ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India’ added, “Having done a hundred films, I definitely took it for granted that theatres were where our films were meant to play. However, two things happened suddenly and almost simultaneously. The Corona pandemic threw all our comfort worlds into a tizzy. And, at the same time the OTT medium that was a fairly new phenomenon gained a huge significance as far as consuming entertainment is concerned. In the future, Theatres and OTT will move in parallel. Both options offer their own strengths. Bhuj: The Pride of India on Disney+ Hotstar VIP – a platform that will showcase our film across the length and breadth of the country. I think people will once again start looking forward to new film releases.”
Alia Bhatt who stars in the sequel of iconic movies ‘Sadak’ (released in 1991) said, “Sadak 2 is a movie that is very close to my heart; it was my first time working with my father, which makes this a dream come true. It has a very new but relevant emotional pulse, with an amazing cast. Working with Aditya, Sanjay Dutt and Pooja has been magical. These are extraordinary and difficult times and all of us are trying to get through it, taking each day at a time. My father always says that a filmmaker’s destination is the audience’s heart. Disney+ Hotstar VIP gives us that opportunity to connect with our audience all across the country.”
Abhishek Bachchan who stars in The Big Bull said, “There is nothing greater than the joy of being able to entertain someone through movies and great storytelling. And that’s exactly what The Big Bull will do – it will keep audiences hooked till the very end. I’m glad that the movie will launch on a platform like Disney+ Hotstar VIP where people from across the country will be able to enjoy it upon release.”
