Stepping into the streaming arena, State governments are rolling out their own OTT platforms to give regional films the stage they often miss on mainstream services. Beyond preserving cultural heritage by offering archival repositories, these platforms help independent filmmakers ensure that diverse storytelling thrives outside the commercial mainstream.
For decades, parallel and independent cinema has struggled for visibility. Mainstream OTT platforms often prioritise commercially viable content, leaving little space for regional, experimental films, says Sandalwood filmmaker P Sheshadri. “These platforms provide a stage for parallel cinema, which has been overlooked,” says Sheshadri.
Highlighting the challenges faced by independent filmmakers, Director Pawan Kumar — known for movies like Lucia and U Turn — said they are in constant battle with private companies and international studios that are heavily funded. An alternative platform like this could provide a much-needed gateway for regional filmmakers to reach their audience.
The Kerala Government led the way by launching its OTT platform CSpace (short for Culture Space) in March 2024. This was followed by Meghalaya’s Hello Meghalaya platform in July 2024. Now, Karnataka is also looking to follow this route. In December 2024, Mahaboob Pasha, Chairman of Sree Kanteerava Studios, wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging him to consider launching a State-backed streaming platform. He emphasised that such an initiative could not only support Kannada cinema but also boost the States’ revenue.
Kannada filmmaker Prithvi Konanur agrees. He underscored the need for a State-backed OTT platform, pointing to the lack of support for Kannada cinema. “There is a biased perception that Kannada audiences do not support quality Kannada films, and instances of films getting rejected because of some inherent bias,” says Konanur.
How are these OTT’s performing?
Within five months of operations, Hello Meghalaya recorded, 3.14 lakh downloads, two lakh registrations and thousands of views, content downloads and shares, according to a media report.
With the focus on showcasing Malayalam films, CSpace selected 42 films for streaming, including- 35 feature films, six documentaries and one short film in its first phase.
Explaining the revenue model, Shaji N Karun, Director of CSpace, said: “The platform is accessible to all. Users can watch content for three days by paying ₹75, with 50 per cent of the revenue going to the film’s producer.”
While CSpace primarily features Malayalam films, Karun noted that Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have expressed interest in including their content as well. Reports also suggest that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are exploring similar models, inspired by Kerala’s initiative.
However, Karnataka’s plan is still in the discussion phase. Sheshadri points out that no concrete decisions have taken place yet. “We have the Chalachitra Academy, the government should take this forward with the academy’s help,” he suggested.
Challenges and the way forward
While the idea of a government-run OTT platform is promising, some filmmakers have raised concerns. Konanur warned: “Just because it’s a government-run OTT platform, it should not become a dumping ground for poor-quality films. If that happens, it will start losing value.”
Echoing this, Sheshadri stressed the importance of autonomy in the platform’s operations. “If it becomes just another government-run initiative, it will fail to make a real impact,” he said hoping more State governments step in to support regional cinema.
