New Delhi, May 6 -- Video streaming platforms constantly outbidding each other to acquire the post-theatrical rights of big-ticket films are now getting on board soon as high-profile star vehicles are announced, gaining outsized influence over the filmmaking in the process.

For movie studios, the initial payments from the over-the-top (OTT) platforms serve as seed funding for production expenses. But beyond that, they are also finding that the theme and plotline of a movie may have to be modified to the platform's requirements.

This often means avoiding controversial subjects such as hot-button political or social themes as OTT players, having come under government scrutiny recently, are playing it safe.

Theatrical release dates are al...