Lijo Jose Pellissery: Waiting 8-10 months for a release is not practical for everyone

When producer Vijay Babu announced two days ago that he is planning to release his new Malayalam production Sufiyum Sujathayum directly on Amazon Prime, it spawned some interesting debates. While many supported the move, some felt otherwise. A few exhibitors have expressed their strong displeasure, calling it unfair and a betrayal of sorts.

Director Lijo Jose Pellissery, whose breakout hit Angamaly Diaries was backed by Vijay Babu, has given his two cents on the matter. "Let producers decide where to release their films, and let theatres decide which films to screen," he said in a statement. "The audience has the right to decide where and how to see them. That it's not practical for everyone to wait 8-10 months for a release is the ultimate truth right now. Some also opine that it's better to talk about films once life is regained."

Sufiyum Sujathayum joins six other Indian films that will be released directly on Prime video. Amitabh Bachchan's Gulabo Sitabo (Hindi), Vidya Balan's Shakuntala Devi (Hindi), Jyothika's Ponmagal Vandhal (Tamil), Keerthy Suresh's Penguin (Tamil, Telugu), and Kannada films Law and French Biryani are the films acquired by Prime.