The space for out-of-the-box cinema has shrunk because movie-making has become an expensive medium but veteran actor Shabana Azmi sees a lot of potential in streaming services, which have arrived on the scene in a big way.

The actor believes the web offers more freedom to experiment. "This is not the era of out-of-the-box films because filmmaking is an expensive thing. It is not just an art form where you just need a vessel and a paint brush and put efforts to paint it. Other than making a film, one has to spend money on promotions and marketing. So obviously, you look for markets that are safer," Azmi told PTI in an interview. She believes this is also the reason why stars rule the box office because their presence helps market a film better.