Akshay Kumar was advised to take Selfiee straight-to-OTT – Times of India

The disastrous performance of Selfiee has sent shockwaves through the film industry. Sources say, the co-producers Disney+Hotstar were in favour of releasing the film straight-to-OTT. However, Akshay Kumar insisted on a big-screen release.

“After the trailer release there was no traction for the film. And it didn’t get any better as the release day approached. Releasing Selfiee directly to digital was an option that the producers explored seriously. But Akshay opposed it,” informs the source.

Sefiee is a remake of a intelligent, witty well-informed Malayalam film Driving Licence. The original featured Prithviraj Sukumaran as an arrogant superstar who is taught a lesson in the most unexpected way by motor-vehicle inspector played by Suraj Venjaramoodu. The original film written by Sachy is witty, savagely satirical and engaging till the end.
The original was directed by Jean Paul Lal. The remake was directed by Dharma Productions’ Raj Mehta who directed the two hits for Karan Johar, Good Newwz and Jugjugg Jeeyo. Selfiee could have completed the hat trick.

Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi played the two leads. Although no comparison to the two actors in the original, they played well against each other.