Mumbai: Actor Emraan Hashmi has expressed concern over the state of theatrical cinema, saying that audiences are increasingly turning to OTT platforms and event films, leaving mid-size theatrical releases struggling. The actor, who will next be seen in Netflix’s series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, said this shift has made him more selective about the projects he chooses.

“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,” Hashmi told PTI.

In 2025, Hashmi had two theatrical releases, Ground Zero and Haq, but he noted that the short window between a film’s theatrical release and its OTT debut — typically four to six weeks — makes it hard to attract audiences unless the film has hit songs, romance, or other elements that appeal to younger viewers.

“They’re like, ‘We will watch this at home in like four to six weeks’,” he said, adding, “It is worrisome. If you see [Leonardo] DiCaprio’s latest film, it tanked. Probably ten years back, it wouldn’t have. But right now, that film has become, ‘Let’s watch it on OTT.’”

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Hashmi also pointed to the rising cost of watching films in theatres. “It is expensive to watch a movie in a theatre with family. It would cost over Rs 5,000 if you include tickets, popcorn and drinks,” he said.

He lamented the decline of mid-size films, which are crucial for sustaining the theatrical ecosystem. “Only event films either come out on Christmas and Diwali. The common man is completely gone from the audience. You have completely alienated that section… You lost them conceptually and from a price point,” he said.

Reflecting on his career, Hashmi added, “Everyone is… scared of picking up something that is theatrical and weighing the pros and cons of what would work and what would not work. So, when something explosive comes in theatrical or OTT, I pick that up. The rejection process is a little more elaborate.”

Hashmi, 46, said his brief appearance as an intimacy coach on The Ba**ds of Bollywood* helped him connect with the Gen Z audience. “It pitches you to people who have woken up to you right now. Then you’ve to support it with projects that you do. It is like a foundation,” he said, adding that there hasn’t been a major change in offers since the show’s release.

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The actor expressed excitement for his upcoming Netflix series. “I’ve actually had a lot of offers in OTT in the past one and a half years. This is what I felt was extremely novel and different. That is why I took it up,” he said.

Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, created by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Raghav Jairath, follows a dedicated customs officer, played by Hashmi, and his team as they take on a notorious smuggler (Sharad Kelkar). The series, which also stars Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Singh Sandhu, Anurag Sinha, and Zoya Afroz, is set to premiere on Netflix on January 14.