Bhojpuri film industry is also eyeing the OTT platform: Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua

Bhojpuri film Raja Doli Le Ke Aja, directed by Sujeet Kumar Singh with Dinesh Lal Yadav, alias Nirahua, Amrapali Dubey and Shruti Rao in lead roles was recently canned in Banaras. During more than 15-days of the shooting schedule, scenes were shot in various parts of the city.
Dinesh Lal Yadav getting ready for the shot (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)
Shooting outdoors after a long time, Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav, says, “ Before the second wave of the pandemic had hit us, I was shooting in real locations.With the rampant spread of the virus, things had come to a standstill. During that phase even I had contracted the virus and was out of action for a while. But now things are opening up and we are back on the sets. Despite things improving we have not let our guards down. Everyone on the sets, (including myself) was fully vaccinated and proper safety protocols were followed,” he says.
Shruti Rao (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)
The actor believes that the pandemic has adversely affected the entertainment industry but it has worked in favour of the Bhojpuri film industry. “With no theatrical releases of the films happening we are not bound by the pressure of the theatre owners, distributors or exhibitors to include certain content in the film that often compromises the quality of the film. We were not able to make the kind of films that we wanted to make due to all these factors. Ever since the outbreak of coronavirus, the scenario has changed and the Bhojpuri film industry is also now eyeing the OTT platform while creating content. We had released a film last year on the OTT platform and soon we would be doing few more on a bigger web platform, that any Bhojpuri speaking person would be proud to see,” he says.
Dinesh Lal Yadav (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)
A regular visitor to Banaras, the actor says, “The city holds a special place in my heart as it teaches us several life lessons like remaining happy in all situations. This is something which is really needed in the present times. Banarasi food is also something which I always relish, especially the lassi, kachori and jalebi. All my diet plans go for a toss when I am in Banaras.”