APRIL 7, 2021

Cinematic: An OTT app that is all about Bangladesh

C inematic was built by Bangladeshi developers, it produces its own content as opposed to outsourcing it, and it gives priority to Bangladeshi stories, directors, actors and crew. They also value actors over stars.

The domestic OTT platform Cinematic started its journey three years ago. Two recently released web films Janowar and Troll have brought the platform into limelight. Both the films have been praised by audiences.

Md. Sharif Uddin, Managing director of Live Technologies ltd, the parent company of Cinematic, talked to The Business Standard about their future plans.

It is a completely local app, said at the beginning of the conversation. The platform Cinematic was made by developers in the country. All the technical support is being given by the programmers of the country.

"We are producing content for our own app. That means the whole production is in our hand. I don't know whether any other platform in the world does this. All the OTTs in the world buy content from third parties or take the help of external production companies," he said.

"We are not doing anything like that. We have been able to prove that it is possible to create an international quality streaming platform with good content in the country without foreign assistance," he added.

We choose our content from the point of view of the ordinary viewers. We are not from a drama or film background, so, at first, we think about what we would like to see on the screen, said Atul.

"We tell the directors when they come to create content- if we like it, then everyone will like it. I actually judge it from the point of view of the audience," he said.

Cinematic always gives priority to Bangladeshi stories, directors, actors and crew. However, Atul said they give more importance to actors than stars.

"Our app has more than five lakh subscribers. We have more than one thousand Bengali films in our collection. Besides, viewers will be able to watch dramas, films and series," he said.

What are the future plans of Cinematic?
Atul said, "Every month we will release two original series and two movies in the Cinematic app. Not only will we create content for the app, content is being created separately for YouTube."
He said that some new productions will be released very soon. The list includes works by directors like Golam Sohrab Dodul, Sanjay Samaddar, Ashfaq Nipun, Shihab Shaheen, Mizanur Rahman Arian, Ami and many others.
"I want all the entertainment lovers in the world to watch the content on Cinematic in the next five years," he added.