Merry Christmas: Katrina Kaif says Sriram Raghavan rejected ‘deadly OTT offers’

Merry Christmas, the upcoming thriller by Sriram Raghavan, has been one of the most awaited Hindi movies of recent times. Last weeks, the makers pulled another surprise on the film-goers by releasing two separate trailers for its Hindi and Tamil versions, with a different treatment and different ensemble cast. Now, even as movie-goers await the theatrical release of the film, the Merry Christmas team opened up on why they were always sure about having a theatrical release, and not going for the safer OTT route.

He did not take the OTT bait, Katrina said about Sriram Raghavan

The film’s female leaf Katrina Kaif informed that Sriram Raghavan had some ‘deadly OTT offers’ and still the makers chose to go for theatrical release. Kaif stated, “I found it very beautiful and charming, his passion is for cinema. He did not take the bait, which a lot of people would have taken.”

Kaif recalled asking Raghavan in a puzzled tone, “What about the risk? You don’t have the tension, about what it *has* to achieve at the box office?” Katrina further shared Raghavan’s response to her queries, adding, “He said, ‘That’s the fun. That’s the game. That’s the charm - the friday exam, that one *has* to give.’ I found it very beautiful and charming, his passion is for cinema. He did not take the bait, which a lot of people would have taken. 

Raghavan sure of Andhadhun fans wanting to watch Merry Christmas

On the same subject, Sriram Raghavan shared his thoughts as well, about how he always envisioned Merry Christmas as a big-screen experience. The Badlaapur director elaborated, “For me it was made for the big screen, it was not made for an OTT platform. I don't know I have never made a film for an OTT platform. Today, so many big filmmakers are making films just for OTT. But this was meant for a hall.”

Raghavan also expressed faith in his fanbase from previous films who would remain curious about Merry Christmas. He added, “There are people who loved Andhadhun, and I was sure they would want to come out and check it out. I knew there is going to be an audience for this film.”

Merry Christmas was earlier slated to release in December 2nd week. However, the makers were compelled to shift their release after Salaar makers preponed their release plan to December 22 this year. Merry Christmas will now hit the theatres worldwide on January 12, 2024.