Actor Vijay Sethupathi has publicly endorsed the creation of a Tamil OTT platform, reinforcing a demand first raised by Kamal Haasan to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. At a recent public event, Sethupathi made two key requests to support the struggling Tamil film industry: establishing a state-owned streaming platform and revising theatre ticket prices.
Two Key Demands for Tamil Cinema
Endorsing Kamal Haasan’s earlier proposal, Vijay Sethupathi requested the government to create a dedicated streaming platform to support small creators and independent filmmakers. Pointing to the sharp decline in the OTT market and the unpredictability of the cinema business, he also urged the government to consider increasing theatre ticket prices to help exhibitors sustain operations.
“The OTT market emerged with very high growth, but has suddenly gone down,” Sethupathi noted, highlighting the financial challenges facing producers and distributors.
Kamal Haasan’s Six-Point Memorandum
Earlier in May 2026, actor-politician Kamal Haasan submitted a formal six-point memorandum to Chief Minister Vijay, outlining structural reforms to revive Tamil cinema. The proposals include:
- Creation of a government-backed Tamil OTT platform for affordable access to regional content
- Abolition of the 4% local body entertainment tax
- Establishment of a dedicated anti-piracy enforcement wing
- Permission for 5 shows per day in theatres
- Mandatory 8-week OTT window for theatrical releases
- Film production incentive schemes to restore Tamil Nadu as a production hub
Vijay Sethupathi’s public endorsement came shortly after Haasan’s meeting with the Chief Minister, signaling growing industry consensus on the need for government intervention.
Why a Tamil OTT Platform Matters
The call for a state-owned streaming platform reflects broader concerns about the dominance of pan-Indian and global OTT players, which often prioritize big-budget productions over regional and independent content. A dedicated Tamil platform could provide:
- Better revenue sharing for small and medium-budget films
- Preservation and promotion of Tamil language content
- Direct-to-digital release opportunities for independent creators
- Affordable access for Tamil-speaking audiences worldwide
With major OTT platforms reducing content acquisition budgets and theatre footfalls remaining uncertain post-pandemic, the Tamil film industry faces mounting financial pressures. Both Haasan and Sethupathi have framed the OTT platform as essential infrastructure to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability.
The Chief Minister, who himself transitioned from a successful film career to politics, is expected to respond to these industry demands in the coming weeks.
