Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, who is also the festival director for the 55^th India International Film Festival (IFFI), has hailed the contribution of OTT platforms in helping showcasing talents from across the globe, including India.

Addressing the rise of OTT platforms, Kapur, who was part of a press meet in New Delhi yesterday to announce details for the 55^th IFFI, highlighted the influence of actors like Manoj Bajpayee, who have thrived in the OTT space.

According to a PTI report on the press meet, Kapur stressed that OTT should be celebrated as a distinct medium for showcasing talent from across the globe, bringing fresh perspectives and voices to the forefront.

The renowned filmmaker also confirmed that he will begin shooting for the highly anticipated sequel to his 1983 classic ‘Masoom’ in early 2025.

On the topic of censorship in OTT content, Kapur noted that while censorship can pose challenges, it often sharpens a filmmaker’s craft, encouraging them to fight for their creative vision.

Reflecting on the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, Kapur expressed concerns about over-reliance on technology.

He believes that AI, while valuable, cannot replace the emotional depth required to create truly great cinema. “You have to feel emotions to make a great film; AI can provoke you to be better, but it cannot create emotion,” he said.

IFFI 2024, where Kapur is serving as festival director, will take place in Goa from November 20 to 28.

A government statement added that the Best Web Series (OTT) Award category has received 46 entries this year compared to 32 last year. Certificates and a cash prize of  Rs. 10 lakh will be given as prize money to the winning series, which will be announced during the closing ceremony.

Naseer, Shabana in ‘Masoom 2’: Meanwhile, tentatively titled ‘Masoom 2’, the film will reunite original stars Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah, who will reprise their roles. They will be joined by acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee, known for his collaboration with Kapur in ‘Bandit Queen’, and Kapur’s daughter, Kaveri.

He revealed that shooting will begin in February or March 2025 and that the script is already ready.

He humorously recounted an incident during his recent flight, where he had forgotten the script on his seat. Thankfully, it was returned to him with a note from a flight attendant, praising ‘Masoom’ and expressing hope for the success of the sequel.

Kapur described this as a “predestined” moment, adding that while the sequel will have a different storyline, it will retain the same core values as the original.

‘Masoom’, which starred Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Tanuja, Supriya Pathak and Saeed Jaffrey, revolves around a family grappling with the revelation that the husband had an affair and a child from that relationship. The film’s emotional depth, coupled with performances from child actors like Jugal Hansraj and Urmila Matondkar, left a lasting impression on audiences.