RK Selvamani SLAMS OTT platforms, says, 'You inflated salaries, then walked away'

Director RK Selvamani's comments at the press conference for the web series 'Heartiley Battery', which will be released on December 16 on the ZEE5 OTT platform, have created a huge debate in the Tamil film industry.RK Selvamani's outspoken accusation that “OTT platforms are what ruined cinema” brought production costs, actor salaries, and the status of big films all to a standstill. He said that OTT platforms had disrupted the balance of the film industry by paying exorbitant amounts of money in the early days, and the entire cinema industry was now experiencing the consequences.RK Selvamani said in his speech, “You have given actors who were paid Rs 10 crores a month Rs 100 crores and have put them on the top of the list. Today, you have stopped buying films by saying that they are losing money. But none of the actors who got a salary increase came down. You closed the shop and left; we are the only ones standing downstairs and waiting," he said harshly. He pointed out that this is why it is not possible to shoot even big films today, and that the basic structure of cinema has been affected.RK Selvamani also stressed that the film industry and OTT platforms should work together to find a solution to this situation. “Only if cinema is good can other media also be good. Can you only screen a film if we make it?" His question reminded us of the fundamental truth of the OTT-cinema relationship. He said this was not a personal accusation; it was a warning about the future of the entire sector.Drawing on his own experience, RK Selvamani recalled that when he directed the film ‘Pulan Visaranai’, he received a salary lower than that of a lightman or driver. "That film was my dream. With a budget of one crore rupees, a producer trusted me to make the film. That trust is my salary. I couldn't even pay the rent before the film was released. But the very next day after its release, I became a millionaire. That is the true reward for hard work," his speech was a reminder of the soul of cinema in today's money-driven environment.